George Abbott: Why I Should Be Leader

Candidate George Abbott on the HST, families, and his vision for BC Liberal leadership.

This Saturday, BC Liberal members in every region of the province will be asked to cast their vote for whom they trust to hold the highest office in British Columbia.

This is an important position, and a very important decision.

We need a government that is willing to work hard to rebuild trust and confidence with the people. A government that is willing to collaborate from the ground up on real solutions that will help families. A government that is prepared to listen to people, and to work with people.

• Why I Should Be Leader: B.C.’s leadership candidates make their case to the voters

I believe that I can bring British Columbians that government.

Over the past three months, I have laid out an extensive platform that touches on many of the issues that matter to British Columbians, and embodies those values for government.

First, a new style of leadership that brings people back into government decisions, enhances accountability, and provides a greater role for elected representatives in creating our future.

For example, I have committed to include an additional question on the HST referendum asking people to decide whether we should continue to grow the carbon tax after 2012. I have committed to an independent review of the $6 million legal settlement in the BC Rail case. New accountabilities and structures will ensure MLAs are involved in policy development, and ministers are empowered to make decisions.

Second, a vision for a strong, free-enterprise economy that capitalizes on the diversity of our province and empowers the private sector to create jobs and grow wages.

That means not only continuing our strong track record of low taxes and cutting red tape, but also pursuing new measures to enhance the role of our multicultural communities in growing our economy, and ensuring that our community and non-profit sectors have the resources and tools they need to grow our economy from the ground up.

Third, a focus on our families as the foundation of strong communities, and ensuring that our families today have the supports they need to grow and prosper.

That means using innovative tax approaches like credits for home renovations and children’s fitness. It means fighting organized crime in our communities and ensuring we have first-class policing. And it means supporting our most vulnerable families by targeting child poverty reduction and providing new ways to help families care for aging family members and friends.

Finally, unlocking the potential of rural British Columbia as the economic engine of our province, possessing both the natural and human resources to propel our province into the next century.

We must support economic development at a regional level, and create plans from the ground up on how to expand our resource industries, invest in infrastructure, and expand our local skills development. We must reach out to the global marketplace for our goods, and to attract new visitors. We must put new emphasis on advancing the potential of resource development through a Premier’s Council on Resource Development and a new Northern Development Agency. And we must put new emphasis on our agriculture, mining, forestry, energy and tourism industries so that they can provide returns into the future.

I have a proven track record of a cooperative style that delivers results, not surprises.

I have shown that I have the support to build the BC Liberal team, and unite our coalition regardless of ideology or geography.

I’ve spent 30 years serving the public – including 15 years as a BC Liberal MLA and minister – proving my abilities and my commitment.

And I have what it takes to get results – beating the NDP in 2013.

I know I have the vision to lead this province. I know I’ve proven my commitment to lead this party.

And on February 26, I’m asking BC Liberal party members for their confidence, their trust, and their vote.