deJong Shares Economic Platform on Webcast Speech

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – Liberal Leadership candidate Mike DeJong made a luncheon address in Vancouver today,  and stressed that  the Province is living beyond its means.  The  speech, carried  as a live webcast, presented deJong's recipe for  economic success, and forestry is a key ingredient.

He says if selected to lead the Liberals, one of his priorities  is to regain the trust of the taxpayers and the first, symbolic move, would be to reduce the size of Cabinet from  the current 24 to  below 20.  “If we are going to ask families to do more with less, then we should be prepared to demonstrate that.” 

While  painting a picture of the future  opportunities for the province, DeJong  said  there has to be  a new way to deal with mining projects. He said the regulatory process is too cumbersome, and the mining sector has to commit to sharing project benefits with the communities in which the mines are to be located.  He adds the Province has to adapt to that kind of thinking as well “I would rather the Province have 30% of something than 100% of nothing.”

As for forestry, he says from the point of view of employment, forestry remains number one in B.C. “There is no question the industry has changed, but the importance of the industry has not diminished whatsoever.”  He says although there  have been some very difficult times for the industry, today thousands of people are employed once again because of the expansion of markets, in particular, China. Having reached some success in China, DeJong, says the next logical market is India. The former restrictions on B.C. wood were lifted between Christmas and New Years so DeJong says “the door has been opened.”

He says the Province has to focus on economic growth if it wants to have the funds to support the social programs, health care and education to the level British Columbians expect. He says his recipe for success,  is to  market B.C.’s products to the rest of the world, with  special emphasis on forestry products.

The Liberal party will select a new leader February 26th.  The other candidates are Christy Clark, Kevin Falcon, George Abbott, Moira Stilwell and Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne.

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