"I challenge my fellow Kamloops - South Thompson candidates, Todd Stone and Tom Friedman, to make the same clear and unambiguous statement!"

Today my campaign team and I put together the following Media Release, which was sent out to radio, newspaper, and TV here in Kamloops.

The voters of Kamloops - South Thompson will soon make their choice for MLA.  But who will stand up for the best interests of this riding?  

 

Will it be Liberal Todd Stone voting with the docile herd according to the direction of the party whips?  Or NDP Tom Friedman, tied to a party beholden to big union interests?  Or a clear alternative; Peter Sharp of the BC Conservatives. 

 

"Kamloops South needs an MLA who will speak his mind, and represent the best interests of the voters who have elected him -- even if that runs counter to the stated position of the party." stated Kamloops - South Thompson BC Conservative candidate Peter Sharp. 

 

"I have personally received an assurance from party leader John Cummins, while in Kamloops, that he expects his MLA’s to vote according to their constituents wishes." Sharp continued.

 

John Cummins is also on the record (Vancouver Sun - May 3) saying: “You put your constituents ahead of the party. Manning used to tell us that. It’s the folks at home that elect you. You’ve got to put their interests ahead of the party.  I believed that; I still do.” 

 

Continued Sharp, "The position my party takes is clear; you should have Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA's) who listen to you, first and foremost.  I have a leader who backs that up 100 percent."

The voters I wish to represent, regardless of whether they choose to vote for me or not, deserve nothing less.

I've been busy on the campaign trail again the past week ... meeting and talking with the people of Kamloops South Thompson.

 

As you know I, and fellow candidate for Kamloops North Thompson Ed Klop, both attended the Kamloops and Thompson Teachers Association / TRU Facility, all-candidates forum last Thursday evening --- as well as the Council of Canadians forum which was held on Saturday morning at the Kamloops Farmers Market. 

 

Regretfully neither BC Liberal candidate, Todd Stone or Terry Lake, choose to attend either of these forums. 

 

Getting out and 'earning' the votes of the people of Kamloops, is just one of the reasons why I did indeed attend these forums.

Another -- and perhaps of even greater importance -- is the respect that I feel is owed those who will be casting their votes on May 14th. 

 

Today, I would also like to take a moment and share an email which I received -- and the response I gave this individual: 

 

Hello, Mr.Sharp, my name is Taylor,  

 

I am currently doing a research project on the different political parties, looking for what they intend to do if they win.  On your webpage, you say "we need a change!". I would like for you to try to sell my vote to your party. Why do you think you are certain you'll win? 

 

Good luck, thanks  

 

I responded to this individual saying: 

 

Good morning Taylor, 

 

Thank you for contacting me, and for your question.  There is nothing certain about me, or any of my fellow candidates, winning election on May 14th.  I do believe however that we do need change, and that appears to be a feeling amongst many of the people here in BC.

I challenge my BC Liberal opponent Todd Stone to tell the people of Kamloops South Thompson ... 'How will BC Liberals get any different fiscal result from not making any kind of real change?'

Today BC Liberal Premier Christy Clark told voters here in Kamloops, and around the province, that we are headed in to the “the most important election in modern history”.

 

I couldn't agree with her more! 

 

The writ has finally been dropped, and I'm sure it is a relief to all British Columbians, because several key things seem to be weighing heavily on the minds of people here in our Kamloops South Thompson riding.

 

BC debt to rise additional $6.7 Billion under Liberals

The Liberal Platform doesn't address the financial problems which THEY have created, and banking on the possibility of future billions of revenues from liquefied natural gas is a risky bet. 

 

BC Liberals still fail to understand government has to learn how to spend smarter!

 

I think the BC Liberals need to take one of the 'Game Sense' suggestions, from the BC Lottery Corporation, to heart.

Wondering if you can win back losses by playing more? It's possible, but unlikely. Chances are the more you play, the more money you'll lose. "Chasing losses" almost always leads to bigger losses.

 

If I apply that to BC Liberal fiscal planning and management, then it says to me, "Doing things the same way gets the same results!"

 I challenge my BC Liberal opponent Todd Stone to tell the people of Kamloops; 'How will BC Liberals get any different fiscal result from not making any kind of real change?

 

BC Liberals say the budget over the next three years will be balanced, and yet according to a Ministry of Finance document, it showed Total Provincial Debt was expected to rise a further $6.7 billion dollars -- that according to the budget they released just two short months ago.

"BC Liberals Todd Stone and Terry Lake, and New Democrats Kathy Kendall and Tom Friedman, are all welcome to campaign with the slogan 'we'll spend more and tax you more"

Today the BC New Democrats Finance Critic, Bruce Ralston, rolled out the party's election campaign budget.  A plan that will see increased taxes, and deficit budgets for at least three years.
Said BC Conservative Party Kamloops South Thompson candidate Peter Sharp, "They have indicated they not only plan to increase corporate taxes, their plan also includes an attack on individual British Columbians.""Their plan" he continued, "Will add a further 2.2% on personal income taxes for the so-called wealthy."

Calls by BC Conservative for 'smarter spending', rather than more spending, seem to have fallen on deaf ears.Said Sharp, "I have already been informed that right now -- today -- people are looking at their options in terms of where they plan to live in the very near future."

"The BC Liberals put in their 2013 budget (which passed in the legislature on March 5th), that they are going to increase the tax on incomes over $150,000 by 2.1% in 2014."

"This is not just a platform plank of the BC Liberals.", continued Sharp, "It's law.  And now we have the provincial New Democrats announcing a tax increase of 2.2%." "I am already hearing, from reliable sources, that people right here in Kamloops are seeing their accountants to see how much lower taxes would be in Alberta.  That's because of the 2.1% increase the BC Liberals have already approved -- never mind the even higher increase Ralston is proposing under the New Democrats."

Currently, on incomes over $135,000, the top tax rate is 43.7%. This new increase would make the top rate 46.8% on incomes over $150,000. By comparison, the top rate in Alberta is 39%. The closer you get to 50% marginal tax rates, the more people are going to start running away from BC."Let me say as plainly as I possibly can, 'Neither the NDP, or the BC Liberals, should be in control of the public purse strings'."

Judges at any level, listening to two opponents arguing like this, would give them the sharp end of their tongue in rebuke

Today in Kamloops, we have been treated to the news media filled with stories of alleged improprieties, with NDP supporters of Tom Friedman using the email accounts of Thompson Rivers University, to seek support and donations.

The NDP has fired back that Todd Stone was falsely given credit at a BC Liberal government funding announcement for the Law School at TRU. 

And Christy Clark apologizes, again, saying “Serious mistakes were made” after it came to light that government staffers were exploring ways to promote the BC Liberal party at taxpayer expense.

I have to tell you, we are witnessing nothing less than a simple case of the pot calling the kettle black, in order to garner voters from unsuspecting voters.  We have two political opponents are doing little more than arguing one side cheated more than the other. 

As a former RCMP officer, I can tell you that judges at any level, listening to two opponents arguing like this, would give them the sharp end of their tongue in rebuke for wasting the courts valuable time.  In this case, not only are they wasting time in arguments like these, they are clearly using taxpayers money for partisan purposes. This is misuse and misappropriation of the peoples money.  

It is becoming increasingly clear we need a change.  The BC Conservative Party is one with a clear common sense vision for our province. 

We have made a commitment that our government will manage the province with the highest standards of integrity and transparency.  We will be accountable to the people of British Columbia.

I call on all voters, in Kamloops South Thompson, to support the BC Conservative Party and help bring about the change we need in here in British Columbia.

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops.

I'm Peter Sharp -- I'm a BC Conservative -- and I believe in BC.



FOLLOW-UP.  Since I wrote this earlier today, I came across a story in the Province newspaper.  I don't know about you, but this stirs outrage in me.

Premier Christy Clark’s inner circle developed and executed a comprehensive strategy that used government resources for partisan purposes in an effort to advance the interests of the B.C. Liberal Party in swing ridings, the Province has learned.
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