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Liberals must introduce a jobs budget as BC continues to lose full-time jobs
February 5, 2010
The B.C. Federation of Labour is calling on the Liberal government to deal with the continuing loss of full-time jobs when it presents its Throne Speech next week and a provincial budget following the Olympics.
Job numbers released today by Statistics Canada show BC lost 4,200 full-time jobs in January. Most Canadian provinces saw an increase in full-time jobs last month.
“The Olympics and an increase in low paying, part-time jobs cannot hide the fact that BC continues to lose good paying, full-time jobs that support families,” says Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour.
“The Campbell government must present a plan that creates and protects jobs. The government’s Throne Speech and March Budget must include stimulus spending that invests in our physical infrastructure and our human infrastructure.”
BC has seen 70,000 full-time jobs disappear in the last 12 months. The province’s unemployment rate is over eight percent, and youth unemployment is more than double that.
The Federation is also calling for a moratorium on public sector layoffs and job losses.
“BC already has one of the leanest public services in the country. The last thing the Liberal government should be doing in tough economic times is adding fuel to the fire by slashing services and adding to the unemployment rolls,” says Sinclair. “We know that public sector layoffs have a ripple effect in the private sector, and lead to even more job losses.”
The Liberal government must also address BC's minimum wage which is the lowest in the country and has become a national embarrassment. In the last 12 months, every other province and territory have increased their minimum wage. The Federation is calling for an increase to $10 an hour with annual increases linked to inflation.
For more information: Evan Stewart, Director of Communications (604) 430-1421.
