Re: NDP legacy disheartening in B.C.
Mr. Johnson's letter to the editor (December 31, 2012) quoted from Bruce Strachan's Dec 13, 2012 column:
"It's no secret unemployment soared during the two NDP terms in government (in British Columbia). Provincially, unemployment was in the double-digit range in the 1990's, it hit 17.8 percent in March 1999."
Upon reading this I wondered, what were were the actual BC unemployment statistics during this time? I went online and obtained the following informaton from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada:
- From 1981 to the end of 1991, when the Social Credit Party governed B.C., the provincial unemployment rate ranged from a low of 6.8% to a high of 15%. Seven of these years saw double-digit unemployment rates.
-From 1992-2001, the NDP years, the provincial unemployment rate ranged from a low of 7.2 % to a high of 10.1%, with only one year of double-digit unemployment.
-The annual averaged B.C. unemployment rate for 1999 was 8.3%.
I do not intend for these statistics to be viewed as an endorsement for one party over the other. Rather, they are presented as a reminder of the importance of examining issues thoroughly and verifying facts and figures in order to make the most informed voting decision come May 14.
Tom Makowsky
Prince George
