B.C. leaders present competing economic plans before election

British Columbia’s three main party leaders presented competing economic plans at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event on Tuesday, setting out proposals on shipbuilding, tax relief, public spending and resource development ahead of the Oct. 24 provincial election. NDP Leader David Eby said a re-elected government would work with the federal government to build a shipyard in B.C. for ferries and other vessels. He also announced a $60-million commitment to support forestry mills and proposed changes allowing food processing on Agricultural Land Reserve land unsuitable for primary food production. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson proposed suspending the provincial sales tax for three years on qualifying machinery, equipment, tools and software. He said the resulting increase in economic activity would help replenish government revenues. Doerkson also proposed a 120-day approval process for capital projects worth more than $250 million and pledged to cancel a proposed expansion of the provincial sales tax to professional services. Green leader Emily Lowan called for a shift away from resource extraction and said taxes on the ultrawealthy would help fund public services.