I’ve been fascinated by this. I overhear conversations that indicate folks are happy to be taxed here, so long as they get good services. I usually shake my head and marvel at the innocence of it. British Columbia is the highest taxed province in the country, and honestly I don’t think the services are all that great. I don’t think we deserve the constant pocket emptying, to prop up someone else’s agenda.

I am a Conservative because rather than throw money at a problem until it goes away, the Conservatives sit down and fashion a plan, a reasonable plan. Will everyone like it? No. Will it work? Yes.

I am a Conservative because I want my leader to have a back- bone and stand for something, both at home and abroad. I don’t have to like all his or her policies, but I do have to trust that they will do what’s best for Canada, and not what’s best for their own personal agenda. I want to know who they are, where they come from, and what they stand for.

I am a Conservative because I want to live in a country that creates jobs, real sustainable jobs. Not government make-work projects. I want to live in a country that supports independent business ideas, and works with industry to benefit the entire country.  The other guys, tend to support either big corporate back rooms or smaller localized groups who really just want their jobs protected forever, regardless of sustainability.

Conservatism suits me. I am an honest, hard-working, tax-paying Canadian who wants to get the best bang for my dollar. I want to know, or at least be advised from time to time, that my tax dollars aren’t going to fund something I couldn’t give a hoot about. I want to know my government supports our military and will continue to pursue avenues to improve the lives of those who protect us. I want a government whose values are closest to mine. I want a government to do its job, and lead the country, as a whole. I’m not interested in pocket politics.

Canada is the best country in the world, and bar none, the best place to live. We are free. Free to live where we want, work at what we want, and free to speak our minds without fear of repercussions.  We have it all here, rich diverseness in land, industry and people.  It’s a beautiful mural with many pops of colours. I, however, prefer Blue.

The event was a collaborative effort put on by candidate Paul Forseth’s Burnaby-New Westminster EDA and Diana Dilworth’s New Westminster-Coquitlam EDA.

Special guests included Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages James Moore, MP for Port Moody–Westwood–Port Coquitlam and Senator Yonah Martin.

By David H. Brett, MBA, New Westminster.

In Canadian politics, negative stereotypes of conservatives abound.  The truth is that conservatives are just like you and me.  Normal.

The main reason I am a conservative supporter is that conservatives are the most ardent defenders of free enterprise.

As a business person, I seek to turn opportunities into economic activity. This involves creating jobs. Human Capital is the main driver of wealth creation in the new economy.

In my business career I’ve sold cookbooks, vacuum cleaners, and life insurance.   I started a technology company that raised millions, had partners worldwide and employed twenty people.  I’ve run a goldmine in northern BC that employed dozens, explored around the world, and acquired software businesses.

Many brave investors have risked capital creating jobs in the ventures I have been involved in.  Many investors made fantastic returns. Sometimes, however, lots of jobs were created, but the investors’ returns didn’t.

The willingness to risk one’s intellectual and financial capital in hopes of a good return is the foundation of our prosperous society.  Free enterprise is not about some ominous boardroom table, it’s about you and me making a living for our families.

Some politicians think it’s not fair when investors make high returns.  They think more money should be taken away from investors and distributed to people they feel are more deserving of it.  This attitude, while well meaning, discourages investment.  Lower investment leads to lower economic activity and fewer jobs.

Anti-investment, anti-business policies end up hurting the people they are trying to help.

I resent it when the left demonizes the business community as it diminishes me and millions of other Canadians who take risks.

The freedom to start a business and see it succeed or fail is central to who I am.   It’s in my DNA.

That’s why I am a conservative.

Our candidate Diana Dilworth spent time with the PM and was called to the platform to be recognized with other Conservative Candidates in the region.  Senator Yonah Martin was also in attendance.