To the editor:
Every time I see one of the B.C. Liberal government ads that attempt to tell us how well they have done for British Columbia, I find myself asking the question: "What are some other ways a provincial government could find to spend $16.4 million of taxpayer money?"
I am sure every taxpayer would have their own list, but I ask wouldn’t $16.4 million buy some much needed hospital equipment for Interior communities? How about help for rural school districts?
How about the massive backlog in silviculture? How many seedlings would $16.4 million buy?
How much could $16.4 million do to change B.C.'s child poverty numbers, presently second worst in Canada after eight straight years of being the worst? The list could be very long.
The ads tell us there are no tax increases, but this is untrue. B.C., like Quebec, and these are the only two provinces, has a system of MSP premiums. In other words, a tax to fund a portion of health-care costs.
MSP went up four per cent on Jan. 1, 2013. Now, it is to go up another four per cent. Is that a tax increase or not?
The next time you encounter your MLA you might want to ask that question. Have we had a tax increase or not?
Did you vote to allow the government to spend $16.4 million on advertising that does not tell the truth?
John Dressler
Williams Lake