B.C. party leaders offer competing promises to small businesses

B.C. party leaders offer competing promises to small businesses

NDP promises interest-free loans, as B.C. Conservatives pledge to slash red tape

As B.C. faces unprecedented economic headwinds, provincial party leaders made competing pitches to voters at a flurry of campaign stops on Wednesday.

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, speaking outside a locally-owned grocery store in Surrey, presented his party's latest promise to offset the effects of U.S. tariffs.

"We will make available loans of up to a million dollars, for up to 72 months, [to] qualifying small and medium businesses in the province that have been hurt by the impact of tariffs," he said.

Eby said the loans will be interest-free, and will be available to businesses who have lost American customers or been hit by higher costs.

If elected, Eby said a provincial NDP government would also introduce a new tax credit to businesses providing a young person with their first job.

NDP Leader David Eby promised interest-free loans to small businesses affected by U.S. tariffs if his party forms government. (Nav Rahi/CBC)

Also speaking in Surrey on Wednesday morning, Conservative Party of B.C. Leader Lorne Doerkson announced his party's economic plan, promising to "supercharge" the province's economy.

"We will approve major capital projects in 120 days or less, we will eliminate the red tape and delays on projects that stifle growth in our province, and we will eliminate job-killing taxes," he told supporters and journalists.

Doerkson said if elected, his party would scrap the provincial sales tax on immediate investment in machinery, equipment, and business software to attract investment in B.C.

And he pledged to introduce a "one-in, two-out" red-tape reduction law that would require eliminating two regulatory provisions for every new one introduced.

"By the end of our first term we will have eliminated the damage done by David Eby and the NDP and return the regulatory burden back to 2017 levels," he said.

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson is seen launching his party's economic plan in Surrey on Wednesday. He promised to cut red tape for small businesses. (CBC)

In Vancouver, B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan launched her party's economic plan.

"B.C. has everything it needs to build a strong, sovereign, thriving economy — yet too often, economic decisions are made to benefit multinational corporations and their shareholders, not British Columbians," she said.

How to watch the B.C. provincial election leaders' debate on Oct. 14

Lowan said her party would introduce provincewide commercial rent protections, focus on building strong regional economies and local supply chains, and restore freight and passenger rail corridors.

She said the Greens would also make it easier for small businesses to navigate government rules, through "a single front door for approvals, simpler forms, and clearer timelines."

How to follow the debate on CBC

The only live, streamed and televised debate between the party leaders in British Columbia's provincial election is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6:15 to 8 p.m. PT.

The debate will feature B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson, B.C. NDP Leader David Eby and B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan.

Watch online: Live streaming online at CBC British Columbia and the CBC British Columbia YouTube channel.

Watch on TV: Live on CBC Television (check your TV service provider for channel).

Listen: Live on CBC Radio One (88.1 FM in Vancouver, 90.5 FM in Victoria, 88.9 FM in Kelowna and 91.5 FM in Prince George) or listen online.