Resource development was one of the main topics a BC Liberal leadership candidate stressed during his visit to the northwest.
“I think the government in the next decade needs to have a focus again on resource development in this province,” Shushwap MLA George Abbott told a crowd of about 40 people at the Sandman Hotel this afternoon.
“When I speak of resource development, I mean not only forestry, but mining, hydroelectric, oil and gas, tourism, agriculture...all, I believe, are foundation industries in this province,” he continued. “I think as a government we need to focus again on those foundation industries.”
Abbott said he'd like to build a province that allows people to learn skills and work in the communities they grew up in.
He also wants to re-engage the cabinet caucus with industry, community and First Nations leaders, saying that if elected as Premier, he'll be coming here to talk and listen about what can be done for economic and resource development for the northwest.
“I know the northwest has really struggled with the shutdown of Skeena Cellulose, they've struggled with the shutdown of major sawmills, and we need to find some new resource development opportunities in this area, and that's what I'm committing to do,” he said.
He's also committed to the Northwest Transmission Line, which would open up the north to industry possibilities by running power from BC Hydro’s Skeena Substation near Terrace to Bob Quinn on Hwy37 North.
He touched on potentially changing ministry structures, but said these changes would not be substantial, and said he supports the harmonized sales tax but admits it was brought to the public in a bad way.
“We need to demonstrate that it's a much more broader benefit than we have to date,” he said, saying that the public needs more information on it.
Abbott was accompanied by former Liberal leadership candidates Vancouver-Langara MLA Moira Stilwell and former Parksville mayor Ed Mayne, former North Coast MLA Bill Belsey, and Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett.
Stilwell and Mayne stepped down from the race last week, putting their support behind Abbott.
Abbott is running against former education minister and deputy Premier Christy Clark, Abbotsford MLA Mike de Jong and Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Kevin Falcon.
The party's province-wide vote to determine B.C.'s next Premier is being held this Saturday, Feb. 26.