Christy Clark puts emphasis on economy in speech to municipal leaders

Premier Christy Clark focussed on the economy, jobs and the goal of a debt-free B.C. in her speech to the Union of B.C. Municipalities this morning in Vancouver.

She told the UBCM that B.C.'s operating debt would be eliminated in four years, the first time since 1975.

Current infrastructure projects across the province will bring 150,000 jobs, 10,000 of those provided by Site C alone, Clark said.

She chided those in leadership roles who refused to take a position on Site C, saying that it's not leadership to say you are not sure when asked about the future of LNG.

Turning to crime, she said it was time to get tough on criminals, and the roots of crime, promising $5 million to shore up the Guns and Crime initiative.

Clark also said more than 70 communities would benefit from a new program to expand high-speed Internet access in rural and remote areas.

The premier received a standing ovation after announcing a $75-million investment to help reinvigorate the economies of rural communities with a population under 25,000 people.