MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

February 11, 2010

MLA Macdonald responds to BC Liberal Throne Speech

VICTORIA – Following the presentation of the BC Liberal Throne Speech on Tuesday, February 9th, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald was the first opposition member to respond.  Each member of the House has thirty minutes to respond to the Throne Speech and to speak specifically about how the government’s agenda relates to their local communities.

Excerpts from Macdonald’s speech, February 10th, 2010, Afternoon:

Three broken Liberal promises mar rhetoric of Throne Speech

Macdonald: “All too often the disconnect between what is promised and what is actually delivered is massive. 

“The BC Liberals’ promised in writing not to implement the HST.  Today they are stating the exact opposite.

“The BC Liberals’ promised the deficit would be limited to less than $500 million.  In fact, it’s six, seven times that amount.

“The BC Liberals’ promised to protect public services.  Very clearly, that hasn’t happened either.”

The Opposition is committed to local decision-making

Macdonald: “The philosophy I have is that the wisdom of this province sits within the communities and with people on the ground, and our job is to take that wisdom and bring it into this House and generate policy that is going to reflect the wider wisdom of the people in British Columbia.”