Blissett says Throne Speech Ignores Forestry, Mining and Tourism

Norma Blissett, NDP candidate for Kootenay East, says she is disappointed that Tuesday’s Throne Speech ignored important sectors of the BC economy like forestry, mining and tourism.

“The Liberals seem to be relying on natural gas exports as their main approach to the economy,” she said. “BC needs a diverse economy, not a single-minded agenda that relies on possible future revenues from natural gas exports that are years away from being a reality.”

In the Throne Speech, the government projected that natural gas exports would produce a minimum of $100 billion in revenue over the next 30 years.

“The problem is that the Liberals' record of predicting natural gas revenues is dismal,” said Blissett.  “In last year's budget they were wrong by a half-billion dollars over just a six-month period.”

“The Liberals’ future fantasy fund ignores the need to take care of BC today,” Blissett said. “It is clear, we need a new and better government with new and better priorities.  Of course I believe that’s an NDP government,” she added.