Chamber Gives Budget a Mixed Report Card
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 @ 3:52 AM
Prince George, BC – The Prince George Chamber of Commerce is expressing mixed reaction to the Provincial budget that was delivered yesterday afternoon.
“It is a prudent budget” says Chamber CEO Jennifer Brandle-McCall. “I think its also important to recognize the contingencies that were built into this budget, there is a small surplus, but have also been quite prudent and conservative in some of the estimates that they’ve made”. Brandle – McCall says the Chamber doesn’t think the corporate tax increase will have any real impact on small businesses, but she is concerned there was nothing about B.C.’s competitiveness as the PST is about to return “We really do believe there is going to be a challenge to our competitiveness as a province because of the return of the PST, so we thought that was lacking.”
Treasurer Derek Dougherty echoes those thoughts, “The Chamber’s pleased that it’s a balanced budget” but adds, there are no real winners in this spending plan. “I think we need to recognize it’s going to be a struggle. I think it’s one of those budgets where everyone’s going to be sharing in the pain.” He says he thinks the biggest concern will controlling health care spending .
Chamber Board Director Lorna Wendling of Deloitte Touche says she has noticed there was a piece missing “There wasn’t anything there to address the skilled labour shortage. No real provision, outside of the one time grant for to the areas for secondary training, that would be of benefit.”
Comments
Money doesn’t help skills training if there is no one to train. Maybe someone should interview places like Canfor and ask them why they have such a small number of apprentices when they know of this shortage.
That organisation is about as out of touch with reality as the Liberals themselves. “Competitiveness”? For what? A competition amongst small businesses for the consumer’s dollar ISN’T enhanced by a tax like the HST that collectively REMOVES $ 800 million MORE of those dollars from consumer spending than PST did. Nor will it be enhanced by the Liberals new, 2013 election campaign slogan, “Tax cuts DON’T work!” Where’s the difference between the Liberal’s fiscal policies now, and those of the NDP all along? Except in terms of ‘credibility’, there are NONE.
Why does this chamber of commerce get air time? Every time something of this topic comes up? Who wants to hear from this group of rich out of touch morons? These were the ones who were one of the main driving forces behind the HST being rammed into BC just after gordon lied to the electorate and was re-installed as premier. And still the taxpayers have to listen to the same garbage over and over and over again. Socred is right. There is nothing to compete with. This group of nobodys helped rob this province’s taxpayers of billions and the time has come to boycott any outfit that supports these bufoons. Usually you will see one of their placards on the door or else near the cash register. If you do see this just turn around and leave your purchases on the floor or counter and walk out. These parasites are absolutely useless to the average taxpayer in the province.
Soon the HST will be EXTINGUISHED. Soon all of gordons lackies will also be EXTINGUISHED. Only good thing the HST did for this province.
Matty, I look forward to the day when you and your insane posts are EXTINGUISHED.
Truth hurts pal. Get used to it.
Soon the HST will be EXTINGUISHED. Soon all of gordons lackies will also be EXTINGUISHED. Only good thing the HST did for this province.
Like the C. of C. during our municipal elections just give them one minute to answer about what they would do about….anything.
Matty-keep hammering it at them….I find it amusing.
Ok I will. I just hate the HST so much I just gotta keep it in peoples minds. Just wish 250 had a thumbs up or down. On yahoo and cbc I get mostly thumbs up that is before my comments get deleted by the censors. Sometimes they do that to me. Most normal folks enjoy me. The rich elites sure don’t. LOL LOL LOL.
Soon the HST will be EXTINGUISHED. Soon all of gordons lackies will also be EXTINGUISHED. Only good thing the HST did for this province.
matty’s just a troll. I’m not sure why the site’s administrators haven’t dropped the ban hammer on him for posting the same thing over and over again.
What purchases matty? You won’t even support local business, remember ? Don’t you make all your purchases in grand prairie? Your just full of good advice..or just full of something else.
Will be reporting your bullying name calling again johnny. Elaine has told me to report any from of name calling or bullying. Will be reporting it again right away. You bullies are going to get banned. I do have a right to state my opinions and you can either get used to it or go somewhere else. Your right wing red necks have Matty here and I will never stop saying what I do. Your time is almost up right wing. And you are totally right bonneville. I will NOT support business here I will go out of my way to do that. What ever it takes.
Soon the HST will be EXTINGUISHED. Soon all of gordons lackies will also be EXTINGUISHED. How’s that johnny?
Ok, let me see now, hst was 12%, now we will pay only 5% gst, and 7% pst. Heck of a deal. Ndp say it is better. What am I misssing here? I know a lot of people dont like the Liberals, but honestly the NDP is a disaster. Their moto is less taxes, more services. Duu.
“Troll” somebody who posts on forums for no other reason then to get a response. Not really name calling, would think you’d wear that tag with pride actually.
Unless he meant some goat harassing green goblin like character that lives under a bridge. Can we get a clarification on the use of the term.
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