A new poll commissioned by the BC Chamber of Commerce highlights British Columbians’ economic concerns heading into the Oct. 19 election.
Chamber president and CEO Fiona Famulak says with high mortgage and rent burdens, British Columbians are feeling a financial strain, which she says contributes to a pessimistic outlook on the economy.
“The housing affordability crisis is not just about housing,” Famulak said
“It’s reflective of an economy that’s heading in the wrong direction.”
This poll — the third poll commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce — found 50 per cent of respondents are concerned about the province’s economic trajectory. 75 per cent of those surveyed say they are having thoughts of leaving B.C. to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Famulak says B.C. is blessed with the low-emission natural resources that the world needs. She says it’s vital to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, saying it’s not an “either or.” She says unlocking these resources would help create the taxation and royalty revenues the government needs to provide key services to B.C. residents.
She says without this strong economic foundation, the province won’t be able to sustain essential public services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“So it’s imperative that we set up and unleash the natural resources to respond to that demand,” she said.
“[This] means unleashing or unlocking the natural resource sectors to create jobs, to light up the supply chain to contribute to the economic wellbeing of communities across the province and the country.”
Data was collected by the Leger Opinion Panel from Oct. 1 to 7, engaging 2,000 respondents.