YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Unveiling the illusion of economic progress under the NDP

Assessing British Columbia’s economy in my capacity as BC United Shadow Minister for Jobs, Small Business & Economic Development, it’s clear that under Premier David Eby’s leadership, we are headed down a concerning path. The province’s economy, competitiveness, and development continue to decline, leaving us increasingly at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the country and the global market.

Under David Eby’s watch, we have witnessed a continuous bloating of the public sector, while job losses continue to stack up in the private sector. This imbalance makes British Columbia overly reliant on the public sector and hinders the overall growth and prosperity of our province. To support the highest quality of education and world-class healthcare, and to address critical crises, we must have a strong private sector within a growing, sustainable, and inclusive economy. Unfortunately, the current NDP government lacks a clear vision and effective policies to achieve this. Sadly, after six years in power, this two-term NDP government doesn’t even have a sector-by-sector private sector jobs plan complete with a laser focus on targets, action plans and accountability.

The most recent job numbers paint a bleak picture of B.C.’s employment landscape. While the private sector lost 17,000 jobs in May, public sector employment accounts for a staggering 62 per cent of all jobs added under the NDP. Not only is this incredibly concerning, but it also highlights their lack of focus on private-sector job creation. The reality is that B.C.’s jobs market has stagnated, with net employment growth since January 2023 being less than one per cent, and industries such as construction, manufacturing, and hospitality suffering significant job losses. The government’s approach of expanding the public service by more than 30 per cent has come at a hefty cost to taxpayers — at least $12 billion per year — without delivering the promised results.

David Eby’s empty promises have failed to make a real impact, as the cost of living remains a pressing concern. Despite many announcements, the affordability of essential goods such as food, groceries, and housing continues to worsen. Shockingly, 46 per cent of British Columbians are only $200 away from financial hardship each month. High inflation and increased costs of living have left more than 50 per cent of people financially worse off compared to the previous year. Clearly, we need more than empty rhetoric; we need practical solutions to tackle these challenges head-on.