Local candidates in the May 14 provincial election were asked to show their business smarts Wednesday afternoon as they took part in an all candidates meeting hosted by the Asia Pacific Business Association.
Facing a packed ballroom crowd of around 200 at Shiang Garden Restaurant, the group squared off on a variety of subjects ranging from how to boost B.C.'s slumping economy to what their party would do to keep provincial taxes in check.
On that latter question John Yap, the BC Liberals incumbent in the riding of Richmond-Steveston, said B.C. already has the lowest income tax rate in the country.
"We have a very competitive tax system. We have one of the lowest corporate taxes and have a commitment in our platform to reduce the small business tax rate by 40 per cent over the next few years," he said. "And British Columbia is open to being a competitive trading economy by having low taxes, competitive taxes, welcoming business, and having the support to build the confidence to come invest and create jobs here."
Fellow Liberal Linda Reid, another incumbent (Richmond East), said B.C.'s lowest income earners pay no tax, or medical services premiums, "because our challenge is to figure out ways to ensure that they do have a fighting chance to raise their kids."
Reid added the dignity of raising families is "hugely important to us and if we can subsidize those processes as we go forward, level the playing field, and understand the best social program in the world is a job, that's what liberalism is about."
BC Conservatives' Carol Day, who is battling Yap in Richmond-Steveston, agreed with Reid's assertions, but tore into Yap's comment about B.C.'s lowest income tax status.
"The reality is we don't have the lowest taxes in Canada," she said. "On paper we do. But then you have to add the carbon tax, the MSP, the ICBC, the liquor store, and it goes on and on. We have the lowest income tax, but we have the highest of everything else. That's why we don't have dollars to spend in your stores and your businesses."
Asked how they would go about ensuring the stability and future prosperity for markets in Asia and Canada, rookie candidate Nathaniel Lim, who is running for the BC Conservatives in Richmond East, said Richmond has an advantage in fostering Asia-Pacific business relationships.
"Many of us know business connections in Asia, and we need to capitalize on this," he said. "One of the ways of doing this is for the Asian community to continue to seek opportunities and move past being just the middle man between Asia and Canada."
Lim added the rise in Asian candidates who may play a part in the political process after the votes are tallied on May 14 is also a way to advance the situation.
Calling B.C. "the gateway to Asia," the BC NDP's Scott Stewart who is running in Richmond-Steveston, said the province is in a unique position to be a great asset to the Asian markets, "And the Asian markets are a great asset to our economy."
Stewart said the BC Liberals have squandered that opportunity.
"Frankly, I haven't seen much movement," he said, adding the NDP would capitalize that by expanding B.C.'s high-tech industries and increase exports of resources and finished products."
Teresa Wat, the BC Liberals' appointed candidate in Richmond Centre said her party's strategy is to persuade Asia-Pacific companies to locate their business headquarters in B.C.
"We are going to work with Canada (federal government), the B.C. Business Council to attract them." Wat said, adding the BC Liberal government has been able to increase the province's exports to Asia by more than 100 per cent since 2001. The goal is to advance that by 50 per cent in the next five years.
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