B.C. Liberals Continue to Spread Misinformation about Chandigarh Trade Office
VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberals continue to spin a web of confusion and misinformation with regards to the B.C. Trade and Investment Office in Chandigarh, Punjab, the New Democrats said today. 
Jagrup Brar
New Democrat MLA Jagrup Brar has been pushing for clarification with regards to the B.C. Liberals’ commitment to establish a trade and investment office in Chandigarh. During budget debate in the legislature, the B.C. Liberals have repeatedly dodged questions and provided conflicting answers:
- On Jan. 5, 2010, Attorney General Mike De Jong said on Radio RedFM that the office was in “partnership with the University of the Fraser Valley.” De Jong’s website refers to this office as a “B.C. Opportunity Office”.
- On March 30, 2010, during debates on budget estimates for the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development, Minister Iain Black said, “the primary focus is one of the provincial nominee program and looking for the entrepreneurial element.” He also stated that, “the individual in Chandigarh is not a trade and investment representative.”
- On April 8, 2010, on OMNI Punjabi News, Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer said that the B.C. Opportunity Office is currently open in Chandigarh, and that over 300 people attending the opening.
- On April 27, 2010, in Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Estimates, Minister Moira Stillwell said, “The representative will build on the existing relationships and expertise of the University of the Fraser Valley's special partnership with Sanitan Dharma College in Chandigarh — that is where the representative operates out of; that is a post-graduate affiliate of Punjab University — to develop partnerships with Indian institutions to identify potential prospective workers with the skills and qualifications needed in B.C.” She also said that, “B.C. does not own or hold the lease for that office.”
A Provincial Nominee Program office focuses on recruiting and retaining foreign workers based on labour market demand. Brar noted that a trade and investment office would focus on economic activity and foster business investment, entrepreneurs and encourage trade from Northern Indian states to British Columbia.
Brar says that the B.C. Liberals have broken their promise to open a B.C. Trade and Investment Office in Chandigarh.
“People are confused as to what the B.C. Liberals are doing in Punjab. Who is right? Minister Black? Minister Stillwell? Or the Attorney General, Mike De Jong?” said Brar.
“There is a tremendous potential for increasing trade relations with Northern India, especially with our large population of immigrants from this part of India,” noted Brar.
Brar noted that India is a major potential market for B.C., but the B.C. Liberals have failed to expand that market. In 2009, trade to India fell by half, and represents a very small portion of B.C.’s trade.
Carole James and the New Democrats are holding the B.C. Liberals to account for breaking their word on the HST and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.
