In a speech reminiscent of her campaign focus more than two years ago, Premier Christy Clark highlighted the differences she believed voters should note between her B.C. Liberal Party and the NDP when she spoke to chamber of commerce members Thursday in Parksville.
Clark and the B.C. Liberal caucus were in Parksville last week for meetings and the breakfast, sponsored jointly by the chambers of commerce from Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Nanaimo, was one of the few public events for the MLAs.
"It's my view that British Columbians don't want their government to be bigger — we want our economy to be bigger," said Clark. "If we get out of your way, we respect your ability to do that. We take a fundamentally different view than the NDP — in their view, the government knows better."
Clark also spoke about the importance of balancing the budget and B.C. Liberal programs that are helping those on social assistance, especially single parents, through training, with help to pay for that training and associated costs of daycare and transportation.
"Writing a bigger (social assistance) cheque, doesn't get people off the treadmill," said the premier.
After her speech, Clark mingled with locals for a few minutes and then left the main hall to speak with The NEWS in an exclusive interview that focussed on issues of concern for many in Parksville Qualiucm Beach.
See this website, or page A5 of the today's print edition, for an account of that interview.