John Rustad

A BC Conservative government would axe B.C.’s carbon tax, lower taxes in general, tackle government debt, remove CleanBC restrictions that hamper new LNG development, reform B.C.’s stumpage system for forestry, reverse course on drug decriminalization, get tough on violent crime, and take a different approach to reconciliation with First Nations. John Rustad, leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., sketched out his party’s election platform Thursday before a business audience at a meeting hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. Rustad opened with a criticism of the NDP government’s handling of the economy, spending and social issues. …He said the NDP government’s commitment to protecting 30 per cent of B.C.’s land by 2030 threatened working forests, farmland and ranch land. Rustad said he would also address permitting for other resources, including forestry to free up timber for sawmills, and would reform the current stumpage system.