March 11, 2010
MLA Polak Mythbusts NDP Economic Plan

VICTORIA – Langley MLA Mary Polak spoke in the Legislature yesterday to dispel the myth the BC NDP have a fiscal plan they can stick to and to highlight the Opposition’s abysmal economic track record.

“The NDP would like us to believe that somehow not only do they have a plan, but they'd actually be able to stick to it,” said MLA Polak. “The evidence is quite to the contrary.”

“The entire time the NDP were in government, they missed every economic target, every budget target that they themselves set in front of them, and that's why we lost our credit rating,” said Polak on the NDP’s record in the 90s. “In contrast, even after putting forward a difficult budget with a $1.7 billion deficit, nevertheless our credit rating remains intact. It's because those outside agencies know that we can meet our targets, we have met our targets, and we will continue to focus on our plan.

“Why is it that we've been able to maintain those investments at a time when our revenues are plummeting, when governments around the world are having huge challenges in supporting their social infrastructure? It's because we've started out with a plan, and despite the economic climate, we've been able to remain committed to that plan.”

Polak reinforced her statement by highlighting the various provincial investments in the City of Langley.

• An almost $5 million, 20-bed, state-of-the-art pediatric surgical unit at Langley Memorial Hospital.
• A new ten-lane Port Mann bridge and upgrades to the Highway 1.
• Multiple early learning StrongStart BC centres in Langley and in Aldergrove including Nicomekl Elementary, Parkside Elementary, West Langley Elementary, Simonds Elementary, Douglas Park Community School, Langley Meadows Elementary, North Otter Elementary, Wix-Brown Elementary and James Hill Elementary.
• Seismic upgrades to Peterson Road Elementary, Belmont Elementary, Langley Fine Arts School, Fort Langley Elementary, and
• A new R.C. Garnett Elementary School.

In addition, Polak spoke on Langley Lodge, a long-term care seniors residence that was looking to expand and renovate their existing tower, and build a second tower. Through the collaboration of the Langley Mayor, B.C. Housing, the Ministry of Health, and the Fraser Health Authority, a new 139 unit, redeveloped facility is close to opening.

“This is an accomplishment that just would not have been seen under the previous government, even in a time when they weren't faced with the seismic shift in the economy that we have been,” said Polak. “All of these things support my community in a way that never happened under the NDP. It just never happened. If anyone believes that it would somehow magically happen again if they were to take hold of government...that is perhaps the largest myth that is circling out there right now.”

For the latest constituency news, visit MLA Polak’s website www.marypolakmla.bc.ca and follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MaryPolak.

-30-