Peace River North's candidates' promises on Jobs, Businesses, & Labour

Agriculture

BC Conservative

Expand food processing on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve

"Modernize the 50/50 on-farm processing rule. Farmers will have greater freedom to process and sell products year-round, keeping more food processing in BC." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Update farm-class revenue thresholds and roll back restrictions on Agricultural Land Commission decisions

"Keep farmland farming. We will update farm-class revenue thresholds, restore merit-based Agricultural Land Commission decisions and reduce barriers facing young farmers and ranchers." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Remap the Agricultural Land Reserve using modern soil and mapping technology

"Modernize the Agricultural Land Reserve. We will use modern soil and mapping technology to remap the ALR and reform the ALR Act to put food security first. Governance will also be strengthened to address misuse and non-compliance." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Strengthen Agricultural Land Reserve governance to address misuse and non-compliance

"Modernize the Agricultural Land Reserve. We will use modern soil and mapping technology to remap the ALR and reform the ALR Act to put food security first. Governance will also be strengthened to address misuse and non-compliance." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Allow secondary use uses of farmland and limited short-term rentals for agri-tourism

"Help farmers diversify their income, including allowing secondary uses that strengthen farm businesses and limited short-term rentals supporting agri-tourism." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
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Make on-farm housing work for agriculture, prioritising worker housing permits
Protect existing water allocations for farms, enable more storage, accelerate groundwater licensing, provide earlier warnings of water problems, and triage water for the most affected crops

"Protect farm water. We will protect existing allocations, enable more storage, accelerate groundwater licensing, provide earlier warnings of water problems and conduct evidence-based triage of the most affected crops, with farmers at the table from the beginning of watershed planning." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Encourage advanced food processing and manufacturing for domestic and export markets

"Make BC a world leader in food processing. We will encourage advanced food processing and manufacturing for domestic and export markets so we add more value to the food we already produce." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Arts and culture

BC Conservative

Invest in Vancouver's Granville Pedestrian Zone

"Under the initiative, the flagship Celebration of Light event will serve as the focal point of a coordinated effort to restore world-class festivals to the city’s waterfront, alongside the return of the beloved Vancouver Santa Claus Parade and key investments in the Granville Pedestrian Zone." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23
Restore the Celebration of Light fireworks festival and Vancouver Santa Claus Parade using private-sector partnerships and corporate sponsorships

"Under the initiative, the flagship Celebration of Light event will serve as the focal point of a coordinated effort to restore world-class festivals to the city’s waterfront, alongside the return of the beloved Vancouver Santa Claus Parade and key investments in the Granville Pedestrian Zone." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23

Economic growth

BC Conservative

Exempt productive capital from PST for three years, including taxable machinery, equipment, and business software purchased or leased
Enact a cultural shift within the civil service towards a shared goal of "getting to yes" on industry-proposed projects

"Work with industry in good faith. We will end the culture of suspicion that treats job creators and the builders of our economy like the bad guys. We will work with the civil service to enact a cultural shift towards working with industry in good faith, with a shared goal of “getting to yes” while upholding the high ethical and environmental standards expected by British Columbians." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Impose no PST on the construction of designated major projects until they are in service

"Streamlining government. We will cut the costs that the province itself adds to every project. We will trust qualified professionals to do the work they are certified to do, as happened before 2018. And we will impose no PST on the construction of designated major projects until they are in service, so tax arrives with the revenue." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Appoint a Premier's Advisory Council on Investment

"Appoint a Premier’s Advisory Council on Investment. BC business experts will provide practical advice from people who actually build and grow businesses here." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Hold an investment summit

"Hold a “BC Open for Business” Investment Summit. We will bring global investors, Canadian pension plans and private equity funds to BC to showcase opportunities created by a consistently pro-business, pro-growth government." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Film & TV

BC Conservative

Compete aggressively for film, TV, and digital work

"Support our film, television and digital industry. We will compete aggressively for the work, ensure we train the creative workforce of the future, and encourage home-grown BC productions and IP." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Fishing and aquaculture

BC Conservative

Consider predators of salmon as a contributing factor to declining salmon stocks

"We will manage fisheries based on evidence, including predator pressure and habitat loss, and invest in the habitat restoration that returns salmon to BC rivers.

• Restore salmon stocks through evidence-based consideration of all contributing factors, including predator imbalance."

— Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Forestry industry

BC Conservative

Increase the number of forestry permits, with a floor of 45 million cubic metres

"Provide predictable access to fibre. Under the NDP, the harvest has consistently run well below the allowable annual cut. Permits will increase sustainable access to fibre with a floor of 45 million cubic metres. Where the Crown reallocates tenure, licensees and Bill 13 contractors will be compensated fairly and on time." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Simplify harvest approvals with a single-window consultation hub and faster permitting

"Speed up permits. We will immediately simplify harvest approvals while protecting the environment. We will establish a provincial major-project-style process for forestry permits, approvals and investment. Decisions will take months, not years, with a single-window consultation hub giving First Nations one door for referrals and proponents one clock." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Review and remove some permitting costs

"Cut costs. BC used to be one of the most efficient lumber producers in North America, but today it is among the highest-cost jurisdictions. In 2025, BC’s softwood lumber exports were 57% below 2016 by volume and more than 15,000 forestry jobs have been lost since 2022. We will review and eliminate unnecessary permitting costs so BC mills can get back to work." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Invest in skills training for Indigenous people to encourage First Nations participation in the forestry industry

"First Nations participation. We will encourage Indigenous participation in the forestry industry by investing in skills training, and we will ensure First Nations benefit fully from any federal funding to support the industry and to compensate for trade-related and other threats to forestry communities." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Prioritise BC wood in government-funded housing and infrastructure projects, wherever possible

"Put BC forestry products first at home. We will showcase and prioritize the use of BC wood in government-funded housing and infrastructure projects wherever possible." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
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Lower taxes for value-added wood manufacturers

"Value-added industry. We will create competitive tax conditions for BC’s value-added wood manufacturers to create more jobs, revitalize communities, and extract more return from our forest sector." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Develop a biomass and bioenergy strategy to use forestry residuals, mill waste, harvest slash, and other underutilized biomass for fuel

"Bioenergy. We will develop a provincial biomass and bioenergy strategy focused on converting forestry residuals, mill waste, harvest slash and other underutilized biomass into renewable fuels and low-carbon energy products while creating new high-value jobs, starting with Clean Fuels Hubs in Prince George and Kamloops." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Labour protections

BC Conservative

Review WorkSafeBC rules to accommodate changing workforces and business environments

"Review WorkSafeBC rules to modernize policies and accommodate changing workforces and business environments." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Liquor, alcohol, and breweries

BC Conservative

Move regulation for liquor, cannabis, wine, and beer into the Ministry of Economic Development
Work with industry on economic development and job creation strategies
Remove the PST on Canadian beer, wine, and spirits

Mining and minerals

BC Conservative

Make BC the fastest place in North America to permit a mine or LNG facility

"Make BC the fastest place in North America to permit a mine and an LNG facility, and report publicly on our progress every year." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Legislate fixed timelines for project approvals, with one review per project

"Legislate permitting and approval certainty, with fixed timelines, “one project, one review” approvals, and quarterly reporting of progress on each project. Exploration permits will operate on the same principle, with timelines matching or beating competing Canadian jurisdictions." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Defend BC mines against US aggression

"Defend BC mines against US aggression, including working with Ottawa to defend Rio Tinto’s Kitimat aluminum operations." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Encourage global mining companies and exploration operations to locate in BC

"Bring headquarters and corporate activity home by encouraging global mining companies and exploration operations to locate in British Columbia." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Develop a Future Mining Jobs Blueprint with industry so secondary schools, colleges, and universities train students for the jobs mines will need

"Develop a Future Mining Jobs Blueprint with industry so secondary schools, colleges and universities train British Columbians for the jobs mines will need." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
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Expand the Mining Exploration Tax Credit

"Expand the Mining Exploration Tax Credit and press Ottawa to make federal exploration credits permanent and extend flow-through eligibility into engineering and feasibility work." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Identify where exploration is welcome and keep it open

"Map for growth. We will identify where exploration is welcome and keep it open, with land-use planning enabling responsible exploration." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Explore the business case for more value-added processing, and fast track permits and provide incentives for value-added projects

"Value-add in mining. Explore the business case for more value-added processing and, where there is investor interest, fast track permits and provide incentives to encourage more value-added projects." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Treat roads, rail, and port access serving mineral districts as provincially-significant infrastructure

"Define provincially significant infrastructure. Treat roads, rail and port access serving mineral districts as provincially significant infrastructure." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Work with First Nations and Indigenous resource groups to help build administrative and technical capacity so consultation is done properly and on time

"Expand First Nations participation. We will engage with First Nations and Indigenous resource groups to help build administrative and technical capacity so consultation is done properly and on time." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Explore using public-private investment to upgrade electrical grids and roads in mining communities

"Upgrade mining communities, exploring joint public-private investment in electrical grids and roads, particularly in remote regions." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Encourage junior-mining partnerships with global miners, major companies, incubators, and accelerators
Reinvest $5M/year for five years in Geoscience BC

"Support geoscience innovation by making BC the first place our mining innovators prove and deploy technology. We will reinvest $5 million annually for five years in Geoscience BC, where mineral research alone has generated a seven-times return on investment." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Maintain high environmental, safety, and reclamation standards

"Maintain high environmental, safety and reclamation standards. Faster decisions do not mean weaker rules. You build it, you clean it." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Startups and small businesses

BC Conservative

Reestablish the Small Business Roundtable

"Re-establish the Small Business Roundtable so small businesses have a direct and meaningful voice in legislation, regulation and policy affecting their livelihoods." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Raise the Employer Health Tax exemption indexed to inflation
Use technology to make business name checks and company registrations take minutes or hours, not days or weeks

"Modernize BC Registry Services. With modern technology, checking a business name and registering a company should take minutes or hours, not days or weeks." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Lower the small-business tax rate as growth allows

"Lower the small-business tax rate as growth allows, and as we return to fiscal balance." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Allow small food sellers to sell more products tax free

"Pass the Home-Based Craft Food Act to bring common sense to the regulation of small home producers and allow small sellers to sell more products tax free." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
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Ensure the tax code incentivises intellectual property developed and commercialised in BC, including patents and software, to stay here, and their developers to grow and hire here

"Keep BC inventions and jobs in BC. We will ensure that our provincial tax code incentivizes intellectual property developed and commercialized here, including patents and software, to stay here and for their developers to grow and hire here." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Work with Ottawa to extend flow-through investment incentives to capital-intensive technology sectors and advanced manufacturing

"Unlock private investment in breakthrough technology. We will work with Ottawa to extend flow-through investment incentives to capital-intensive technology sectors and advanced manufacturing." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Restore the Premier's Technology Council

"Premier’s Technology Council. The BC NDP shut it down without explanation. We will restore it to receive advice on economic development, government efficiency and strengthening conditions for technology jobs." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Tourism

BC Conservative

Consult with municipalities on a Resort Municipality Strategy to expand their tourism opportunities

"Develop a Resort Municipality Strategy. Work in consultation with the municipalities on a plan to help ensure they can expand their tourism opportunities." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Invest in Vancouver's Granville Pedestrian Zone

"Under the initiative, the flagship Celebration of Light event will serve as the focal point of a coordinated effort to restore world-class festivals to the city’s waterfront, alongside the return of the beloved Vancouver Santa Claus Parade and key investments in the Granville Pedestrian Zone." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23
Restore the Celebration of Light fireworks festival and Vancouver Santa Claus Parade using private-sector partnerships and corporate sponsorships

"Under the initiative, the flagship Celebration of Light event will serve as the focal point of a coordinated effort to restore world-class festivals to the city’s waterfront, alongside the return of the beloved Vancouver Santa Claus Parade and key investments in the Granville Pedestrian Zone." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23

Trades & manufacturing

BC Conservative

Audit SkilledTradesBC

"Audit SkilledTradesBC. We don’t need more bureaucracy to build a skilled workforce. We will review the Crown Corporation to ensure it is meeting its mandate." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Extend the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund
Bring back shop classes in grade school, and expand apprenticeships, dual-credit programmes, and paid work experience

"Restore pathways into trades and work: bring back shop classes, expand apprenticeships, dual-credit programs and paid work experience" — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

"• Connect high school education to trades, careers and opportunity. Give students more opportunities to begin career training and qualifications before graduation. We will bring back shop classes and build shop facilities in new schools.

• Expand dual-credit programs, apprenticeships and paid work experience with post-secondary institutions and employers. We will make it easier for schools to hire qualified Red Seal tradespeople, musicians, athletes and other experts.

• We will make it easier for apprentices to stay employed during technical training and work with employers to expand training in skilled trades and other occupations where BC needs workers."

— Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Trump's Tariffs

BC Conservative

Remove the PST on Canadian beer, wine, and spirits
Appoint a BC rep in Washington, DC

"We will appoint a BC rep in Washington, D.C., joining Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec in defending our interests against attempts to punish BC products, including softwood lumber." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

Young workers

BC Conservative

Provide a tax credit to businesses for the first $5,000 in payroll costs associated with hiring a young person for their first job

"Jobs for BC youth. A First Job Tax Credit that will provide a tax credit to businesses on the first $5,000 in payroll costs. This will provide opportunities for young British Columbians to find their first job and get their foot on the ladder to success." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18