A new decade begins with a
big year for the province of
British Columbia; here is the
good, the had, and the ugly.

 

 

  
     
      
        
     
     
    
 
    
   

into overdrive, we are seeing waves of ownership for the debt; nobody wants Probably not superffreat.
new major housing developments such bh the bill but everybody wants Most likely, because the vast majority of B.C.
as Whistler Village and magnificent spend, spend. And this also trigger an abunda strongly opposes the imposition of
architectural restructuring projects such ete when vital education bad effects. No cif its hpi this tax. On an economic level, several
as BC Place. Vancouver is also seeing sectors are seeing major major industries, such as the restaurant
major construction overhauls on our dgets. Are two weeks of Mistakes will happe : i business, will take hits; who wants to
roadways that aim to reduce copgestio; ucation and health? _left opened, and the e¢ suddenly pay an extra seven per cent on
and increase traffic flow throug D ill become a flaws. But hope their night out, especially with people
Greater Vancouver Regional Di the incredible nai still getting back into the work field after
As good as this flurry of a considerable recession? No one.
developments is for our city, i In ecember, an Ispos Reid poll
come at a cost. Nothing is free,, \ BE proved (for the hundredth time) that
especially when it comes to improvi? 2 2 B.C. i thé Harmonized Sales Tax is deeply
a span of several cities and towns. ‘ g hafed in{British Columbia. 82 per cent
These big-time projects are costing the of thosejsurveyed,said they oppose
province of B.C. hundreds of millions of the HST, with 61 per cent “strongly
dollars, and that sort of money doesn’t ”” Need mipre? 91 per cent think
sprout from the ground with magic ill hurt the ecohomy by negatively
beans. This is taxpayer’s money that’s impactiag consumér spending. Need
being used to prepare Vancouver for the even magre? Just 12 per cent support
Olympics— your money. And financial : 9 i : A
planning has gone awry: our original ; ite similar,.6 af it gular B Tis _ per centstrongly sapport it. That two
budget was smashed to pieces and is ring  - Badhnes :
now several times higher. It’s almost eeGordon C pbell, Finance
exponential growth, combined with F street in their lefinite : @aelin.Hansen, and the B.C.
little public discussion on the wna has W] hast ellers(Olympic |s=---and.politically.- : Zs ‘ = gt polls dating back
left taxpayers in a nerving fog What’ to a craze! a #fstiow the same results.
most unsettling is a severe lack of true eroin need!

his eyes (a bigger one than usual),

  

 
 

 
  

  
  
  
 
  
 
  
   

 

 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  

Continued on page 18...