Documents obtained by CUPE through the freedom of information act show the Campbell Liberals knew within days of the election that their proposed tax cuts would sink provincial finances and force massive job losses in the public sector. But thats not what Premier Gordon Campbell said publicly.
Throughout the 2001 provincial election, the BC Liberals promised their proposed tax reductions would be revenue-neutral.
Within days of their May election victory, however, the ministry of finance was conducting studies that examined both the impact of the tax cuts and of slashing public services to pay for those cuts.
Clearly, the documents demonstrate that the Campbell Liberals had a plan almost from the outset to target health, education and other public sector programs to pay for the tax cuts, says CUPE BC president Barry ONeill.
A briefing note obtained from the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Relations dated May 31, 2001 predicted only a quarter of the revenues lost through the tax cuts could be recovered from increased economic activity. Another document, dated June 5, 2001, showed the cost of the provincial tax cuts would rise to $2.87 billion by 2006.
Publicly, Campbell, aka Gordocchio, continued to stick to his tax-cuts-create-revenue story.
As ONeill stated, the information shows the Campbell Liberals deliberately misled seniors worried that tax cuts would reduce access to health care. They deceived parents concerned that tax cuts would increase school class sizes. And they betrayed the trust of millions of BC residents who voted for open and honest government.
Throughout the 2001 provincial election, the BC Liberals promised their proposed tax reductions would be revenue-neutral.
Within days of their May election victory, however, the ministry of finance was conducting studies that examined both the impact of the tax cuts and of slashing public services to pay for those cuts.
Clearly, the documents demonstrate that the Campbell Liberals had a plan almost from the outset to target health, education and other public sector programs to pay for the tax cuts, says CUPE BC president Barry ONeill.
A briefing note obtained from the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Relations dated May 31, 2001 predicted only a quarter of the revenues lost through the tax cuts could be recovered from increased economic activity. Another document, dated June 5, 2001, showed the cost of the provincial tax cuts would rise to $2.87 billion by 2006.
Publicly, Campbell, aka Gordocchio, continued to stick to his tax-cuts-create-revenue story.
As ONeill stated, the information shows the Campbell Liberals deliberately misled seniors worried that tax cuts would reduce access to health care. They deceived parents concerned that tax cuts would increase school class sizes. And they betrayed the trust of millions of BC residents who voted for open and honest government.