Trouble in Lotusland

BC Jobs Growing Half as Fast Since Clark's Plan Launched

Jobs Plan a failure: NDP

The report made an easy target for Shane Simpson, the NDP's critic for economic development, jobs, labour and skills. "Today was an attempt on the part of the minister to mask the dismal failure of the Jobs Plan," he said. "It's been a failure no matter how you look at it."

Since the plan was launched, B.C. has been the second worst in the country for job growth in the private sector, and the third worst for wage growth, he said.

He noted that in various sections the government's report picks different starting dates, at times measuring from 2001, 2009 or 2011. "You have them putting out a plan that can't pick a date," he said. "I think it's trying to mask the reality this plan has failed."

Several sections discuss economic growth rather than job creation, Simpson noted. "There was a time when they were pretty closely linked," he said. Investment in the province no longer automatically translates into jobs, he said. "We're seeing a whole lot of economic growth now without jobs attached to it."

With the legislature returning Oct. 6, Simpson said there's need for a discussion about how to make the Jobs Plan successful. He pointed to the need for more skills training and requirements to have more apprentices on publicly funded projects.

http://thetyee.ca/News/2014/10/01/BC-Job-Growth-Dropping-Clark/