April 1999

WILSON'S MANIFESTO REVISITED

By HUBERT BEYER

VICTORIA -- Now that Gordon Wilson, not unlike Saul of old, has experienced a miraculous conversion, albeit not on the road to Damascus but to a bigger pay cheque, I would like to remind him of some convictions he held near and dear as leader of the Progressive Democratic Alliance.

I'm sure his new political fraternity would be more than willing to adopt the gospel according to the former PDA leader.

The following excerpts are taken from the PDA's policy manual.

On Forestry: "The PDA disagrees with the past practices of the provincial government in their dealings with the forestry sector.

"We would amend the Forest Tenure Act to add better accessibility to the small and medium-sized business. The current act allows a large percentage of the Crown land forest into the hands of a few large forest companies through the Tree Farm Licence system."

Great idea, Gordon. I'm sure your new friend, Forests Minister David Zirnhelt, would be tickled pink to accept your recommendations in that regard.

"On Fiscal Reform: "A PDA government will move to collect all taxes provincially. The PDA advocates a graduated single tax on income that is collected in Victoria with B.C. remitting to the federal government its portion of taxes.

"This will be followed by gradual removal of consumptive taxes like the Provincial sales Tax." Those earning less than $18,000 a year would pay no tax, according to the PDA policy manual.

A 22-per-cent tax would be imposed on those earning between $18,000 and $32,000. Those earning between $32,000 and $60,000 would pay a flat tax of 24 per cent, all others 26 per cent.

If I were Wilson, I'd run that one by the finance minister. After the latest budget, it is clear that We'll-grow-our-way-out-of-the-recession Joy MacPhail is in great need of some policy input.

On Legislative Reform: "The PDA supports a process of open government that is truly accountable to the public and removes any possibility for members of the executive council (cabinet) to direct spending and policy without the benefit of legislative debate." A PDA government, the policy manual adds, would eliminate special-warrants spending.

Now there's an idea. I just wonder why Wilson appears to have been unable to convince his new friends and masters of this worthwhile goal before several billion dollars' worth of special warrants were rammed through the legislature last week. Missed the boat there, Gordon.

There's one chapter in the policy manual that has me a little confused. Under Seating Arrangements, the PDA manual proposes seating MLAs by region rather than by party. This, the manual says, would create "a less partisan Chamber where politicians can focus on accomplishing things for their constituents."

I'm trying to visualize just where the political wilderness region might be located in the legislative chamber, since that is where Wilson would probably be seated after the next election -- if he's lucky.

On Home Ownership: "The PDA believes that it is important for British Columbians to be able to afford to buy their own homes. To facilitate this aim, the PDA supports interest paid on a first mortgage of a primary residence to be an allowable deduction against income.

"To promote home ownership savings among renters, a portion of rental payments will become an allowable deduction against income."

For implementation of this worthwhile policy, Wilson should have no problem with the above-mentioned minister of finance.

And finally, the manual proposes a smaller cabinet, a goal Wilson could realize without even consulting with his new friends by resigning. As for the other fine policy proposals of the PDA, Wilson might have to work a few miracles.