Interim B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson says his party would cut provincial taxes by $1,000 for nearly every working British Columbian by raising the basic personal income tax exemption level.
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Interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives Lorne Doerkson says the party would cut provincial taxes by $1,000 for nearly every working British Columbian as part of its campaign, framing the promise as a response to a “cost-of-living crisis.”
Under the plan, the Conservatives would raise the basic personal income tax exemption level in B.C. from $13,216 to $32,000, which Doerkson said would make it “the most generous in Canada.”
The party says a typical two-income family would benefit by about $2,000 a year, or $167 a month.
Doerkson has also pledged no new taxes under a Conservative government, as the province faces a projected deficit of $13.8 billion under the NDP.
Campaigning in Surrey, Doerkson said B.C. will have to “supercharge the economy” to meet funding and revenue challenges.
The NDP pushed back, with candidate Spencer Chandra Herbert saying the Conservative tax-cut vow would “blow a $2.5 billion hole into the B.C. budget,” adding that health care spending would have to be cut to meet any shortfall.
Separately on Thursday, New Democrat Leader David Eby said his government would freeze British Columbia vehicle insurance rates for another three years if elected on Oct. 24.
Eby, who as attorney general moved the Insurance Corporation of B.C. to a no-fault system in 2021 after describing the Crown agency as a financial “dumpster fire,” said the shift saved the average B.C. driver about $500 a year and has allowed rate freezes for seven years.
Eby said a leaked letter from Doerkson indicates that if his party wins the election, it would repeal the no-fault plan for a hybrid model, while Eby argued that the Conservative approach would hike car insurance costs and send more money to lawyers and private insurers.
CentreBC leader Elenore Sturko called on Doerkson to explain his insurance commitments, saying British Columbians “deserve to know what is being promised in their name,” and said she wants him to publish his proposal in full and describe the potential impact on premiums.
Also on Thursday, B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan announced the party’s school plans, including a vow to close what it says is a $317 million funding shortfall for the costs of inclusive education.
The Greens said they would increase the number of counsellors to reach a ratio of one counsellor for every 250 students, and would deliver universal programs for school food and supplies, “so every student gets fed and has what they need to learn.”
Lowan, a candidate for Saanich North and the Islands, said “no child should have to try to learn when they’re hungry,” or lack a trusted counsellor.
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