B.C. Conservative leader pledges no tax increases

Interim British Columbia Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson pledged that a Conservative government would not raise or introduce taxes if elected, then promoted a plan to expand liquefied natural gas production as the provincial election campaign turned toward affordability and resource development. Doerkson made the no-tax commitment at a campaign stop in Surrey on September 27, saying a government under his leadership would not increase existing taxes or bring in new ones. The pledge was the party’s first official campaign policy announcement. The election is scheduled for October 24. The commitment comes as the province faces a forecast deficit of $13.8 billion. Asked how his party would fund public services and address the deficit without tax increases, Doerkson said it would reverse policies he believes have impeded industry and revive sectors including forestry. The sources do not provide a detailed fiscal plan explaining how a future government would meet those goals while maintaining services. The New Democratic Party responded that an aggressive deficit-reduction plan would require new revenue, deep service cuts or both.