The Conservative government has steered the economy through a global recession, balanced the budget and provided tax relief while investing in public infrastructure at an unprecedented level.
I have a proven track record of collaboration with a local government, business and the nonprofit sector.
The Conservative government has created the conditions that have increased the middle class, reduced poverty, created jobs and invested in public infrastructure.
The major issues for the riding are discretionary income for seniors and families, jobs, and infrastructure. The Conservative platform addresses these issues. We are committed to implementing a $2,000 tax credit for single seniors. This will assist 1.6 million seniors.
We are committed to a family tax cut which includes income splitting for parents as well as the new child care benefit of $120 per month for children under 6 and $60 per month for children 6 to 17.
A re-elected Conservative government will reduce the small business tax rate from 11 per cent to nine per cent and reduce employer and employee paid payroll taxes from $1.88 to $1.49 per hundred dollars of income. These measures will create jobs and help workers.
The Conservative plan includes a 10 year public infrastructure commitment which is the largest and longest in our history. As an example of how public investment can improve quality of life and the economy, a re-elected Conservative
government will provide the required financial support to establish the high-speed foot passenger ferry service from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver.
Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation and Island Ferry Services Ltd., are joint applicants. The service is green - it will connect passengers to downtown Vancouver, the LRT system and the Sea Bus terminal. It makes day trips affordable and feasible with a planned trip duration of 68 minutes and late night returns.
This service will also boost the economy on Vancouver Island.