Hocking off Resources

The classic example of hocking-off precious British Columbian resources, a la our National government, occurred recently when the Socred government negotiated the sale of North East British Columbian coal to the Japanese steel industry. The BC Government has hidden the figures from the taxpayers but suspicions are many throughout British Columbia.

The net result of the deal will be that the Japanese get the coal, and British Columbia gets the hole and an increase in taxation. The cost of development is estimated at $485 million borne by the British Columbian government, while 100 million tonnes will be supplied to Japan over the next 15 years at bargain basement rates, as well as granting the companies freedom from sales or corporation taxes for the next ten years.

Harris, the Socred (BC) executive director, delcared that they had kicked big business out of British Columbia. Any investigation proves the lie to this claim; foreign monopoly is welcomed with open arms.