Premier Christy Clark (left) shares a laugh with Cathy Behrenbruch and Sonia Lopez, both from Osoyoos. The premier spoke at a lunch event organized by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce at Silver Sage Winery last Thursday. (Richard McGuire photo)
B.C. Premier Christy Clark has a message for South Okanagan businesses: the Liberal government will get out of your way.
Her promise to continue eliminating bureaucracy and red tape for small business owners in this province came from her speech during a luncheon hosted by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce at Silver Sage Winery on June 18.
Clark and several cabinet ministers were in the area last week and accepted the chamber’s invitation for lunch.
The premier started her speech with commenting on how people are so happy in the Okanagan Valley.
“The thing I love about happy people is that they never vote NDP,” she said to guffaws.
Clark gave chamber members and guests a brief history of Oliver, starting with the discovery of gold by a prospector. The community had its own gold rush days – a one trick pony until Premier “honest” John Oliver saw the incredible opportunity for farming in the region.
Clark said the community diversified into agriculture, noting that diversification was and remains important to the economy.
She said the province has followed suit by diversifying into mining, forestry, tourism and agriculture. As a result, B.C. is the only place in Canada that is not a “one trick pony”, she pointed out.
Clark said farmers were not successful because of government, they were successful because of what they did on their own.
“Our job is to make sure government gets out of your way. We’re the number one jurisdiction in Canada for cutting red tape.”
Speaking of business, the premier said B.C. is leading the country in economic growth this year.
“B.C. can lead Canada, not just in growth but in ideas.”
Clark couldn’t help but throw out another joke: “No offence to men, but when small business is run by women, it tends to last a little bit longer.”
The premier heaped accolades on Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson for improving pedestrian safety in Oliver as part of Phase 2 of the Highway 97 repaving project. (Phase 2 consists of resurfacing Main Street in the downtown core.) The project will include the construction of three pedestrian “bump-outs” (curb extensions) at three intersections.
Phase 2 is expected to be tendered out at the end of July, and completion is expected by Oct. 31.
Clark praised Larson for still finding the time to serve breakfast to high school kids in Oliver and for her work in meeting the needs of constituents. For example, her office ensured that a medical device was immediately delivered to a patient in need in Rock Creek.
The premier also addressed the plight of single parents in B.C. who face many barriers in trying to improve their economic situation.
For decades, government has asked single parents to get off the treadmill of social assistance and unemployment. But Clark said they failed these parents by not helping them deal with the challenges of going back to work (retraining costs, child care, etc.).
The premier said there would be no more barriers for the 16,000 single parents in B.C., who will get help with training, transportation and child care costs.
Now, children will see their parents going to work every day instead of relying on social assistance, she stated.
Clark concluded her speech by saying it’s “ordinary people” who build B.C., not politicians or judges.
“Never forget, it is you that makes B.C. possible.”
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
B.C. Premier Christy Clark spoke last Thursday at a lunch organized by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce at the Silver Sage Winery. (Richard McGuire photo)
Osoyoos town councillor Jim King chats with Premier Christy Clark at a lunch organized by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce at the Silver Sage Winery last Thursday. (Richard McGuire photo)
B.C. Premier Christy Clark spoke last Thursday at a lunch organized by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce at the Silver Sage Winery. (Richard McGuire photo)
