SKEENA BC Liberal MLA Ellis Ross says he has no doubts that if the BC Liberal government stay in power, it’ll be able to keep its spending promises as outlined in the June 22 speech from the throne.
A long list of spending items was included in the speech ranging from $1 billion for daycare, a promise to eliminate Medical Services Plan premiums, to hiring more conservation officers to a rent-to-own housing program for middle class families.
“That’s the benefit of a having a strong economy, good fiscal responsibility,” said Ross of the list.
He was also confident the spending could be accomplished without sliding into a deficit.
“Mike de Jong has done a good job,” added Ross of the provincial finance minister.
When asked why the list wasn’t included in the BC Liberal platform in the May election, which resulted in the BC Liberals losing their majority and the real prospect this week of losing their hold on power, Ross said it was the result of listening to people on the doorstep during the election.
As to the prospect of being in the opposition, Ross, who is also the natural gas development minister and housing minister, said he’ll be committed to representing the people of the Skeena riding.
And should there be another election, Ross said he’ll run again.
“I don’t want another election, but if there is, I’ll be running.”
“B.C.’s economy depends on us, the future is important to me. B.C.’s got to take a stance internationally,” Ross continued of developing liquefied natural gas as an alternative to coal-fired generation around the world.
The Skeena MLA was also acknowledged in the throne speech read by Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon as the first indigenous cabinet minister “responsible for shepherding the future” of the liquefied natural gas industry.
“After 146 years since this legislature was founded, this is long overdue,” said Guichon. “He will carry the voice of indigenous peoples who demand to be a full partner in economic opportunity...”
“It’s a lot of faith in me,” said Ross who, when the chief councillor for the Haisla Nation, positioned it to benefit from jobs and economic opportunities based on the prospect of liquefied natural gas in the Kitimat area.
“I’m up for it.”
Ross also spoke of a recent tour of BC Hydro’s $9 billion Site C hydro-electric project in northeastern B.C., calling the power it will produce as a legacy for the province in the decades to come.
The project is opposed by the Green party, and the NDP has promised a review of the project when, as expected, it will form the next government.
“My life would have been a lot poorer without those previous projects,” said Ross of hydro-electric dams built decades ago.
“I wouldn’t have been able to cook on my stove or turn on the lights or even charge my iPhone,” he said. “I’m very thankful for those people [who built those projects].”
One of those who watched the throne speech in person from the visitors’ galleries overlooking the floor of the legislature was Terrace mayor Carol Leclerc.
Invited by Ross, she flew down on her own expense, saying it was important to be there.
“Afterward I told Ellis it must have been quite different to be there to represent First Nations in that colonial government,” said Leclerc.
“And he said he didn’t even think about it. He said he was committed to doing his job for the people of B.C.”
Leclerc also spoke with NDP leader John Horgan who stands to be the next premier.
Leclerc said city council also had a meeting with Horgan when the NDP leader visited Terrace last August, and Mills Memorial Hospital was discussed.
“He promised us the hospital,” she said.