Media round table with Opposition Leader Andrew

Andrew Wilkinson, the leader of the BC Liberal Party and Opposition Party, visited Surrey on Mon, Feb 26, at Tasty Indian Bistro The purpose of the visit was to discuss the New NDP Budget which was introduced the previous week along with listening to the concerns of the Local and South Asian Community in Surrey, BC. Mr. Wilkinson was critical of the NDP budget starting with property “speculation tax” stating its ambiguity as one of the major concerns. The BC Liberal Leader suggested that it does not stretch enough to assist with housing affordability and will slow down the construction and real estate industry in BC along with increased taxation on savings of British Columbians. He added increasing building permits and subsequently increasing the supply of housing would be a more suitable solution. Amongst other concerns, Mr. Wilkinson proposed an independent review of the current Automotive Insurance Industry in British Columbia,i.e ICBC, stating that Liberals would propose “an independent review of the Best Automotive Insurance Policies in North America” in order to determine if ICBC continues to serve the best interests of British Columbians going forward, if they are elected in the next election. Mr. Wilkinsion further highlighted that the NDP balanced budget has no room for error and does not take into account contingency factors, such as an abnormal forest fire season which could result in a substantial increase in Expenses and therefore, placing the budget in a deficit. He also highlighted that the NDP budget proposes the BC economy will grow at a pace of 2.4% but the Expenses will be 4% of the GDP which is not a sustainable long-term strategy. Overall, the leader of the BC Liberal Party wanted to bring to attention the impacts that British Columbians may suffer as a result of the NDP Budget which can cause a slow down in the BC Economy for the foreseeable future. Mr. Wilkinson was delighted to be in Surrey, BC and expressed his willingness to return more often in order to listen to the concerns of the resident of British Columbia through similar events.