NEIGHBORING American states with flexible labor regimes have out-pertormed British Columbia in terms of job creation in the tust few years, and prospective investors view B.C.'s labor regime as being hostile to business, a Fraser Institute study has found. According to Fazil Mihlar, policy analyst at The Fraser Institute and author of the report. A New Labor Regine lies in non-Right To Work slates. ®B Following its enactment of Right To Work legislation in 1991, New Zealand's nation- al oulput grew by 15% in three years, which was as much as the economy had grown during the — entire decade between 1974) and 1984, Between 199] and 1995, over 150,000 new jobs were created in New Zealand, and ployment fell from 1h% in September 199) to 6.6% in March 1995, The provisions embodied in B.C.’s labor code and other initiatives enacted by the provincial government: have resulted in labor strife. Between 1990 and 1994, the number of work stop- pages. including strikes and Jockouts, averaged 77) per year. Ino contrast, Alberta. with its relatively reasonable labor code ventions in the labor market, had an average of 11 work stoppages per year over the same period. Since the abolition of secret balloting for union cer- tification in B.C. the average number of certifications per year has more than doubled, from 235 to nearly S00. “Of greater concern.” suid Mihlar, “is that 78% of certi- fications in 1995 were grant- ed to firms with 30 employees need of a flexible workforce.” Labor market flexibility is nota panacea for all econom- ic its. ft is, however, one important factor in the equa- tion for economic prosperity. Currently, BoC.'s labor code and other labor legislation inhibit Mexibiliiy in’ labor markets, reduce incentives for increasing productivity, and increase the costs of pro- duction. Over time. B.C.'s Jabor regime will make the Jecation for investment, In an increasingly dyuamic and competitive business environ- iment, the current labor laws damage the province's ability to foster econamiec growth and create jobs. For a copy of A New Labor Regime for British Colunbias Towards — Jab Creation, contact David Hanley at (604) 688-0224, or visit. the Fraser Institute’s Web site at http://www. for — British — Columbia: labor code anc fewer inter- or fess, companies most in province a less attractive — (raserinstitute.cu Towards dob Creation, gov- ernment intervention in labor markets has been the source of labor market rigidity, reduced competitiveness, and slower rites of employment growth. “The perceived and real costs Of doing business in B.C. are high” said Miblir. “Faced with oa choice. investors choose to locate in more ‘business friendly’ juris- dictions.” The fundamental problem is that B.C.'s labor regulations are more rigid and costly than those adopted by our trading partners, particularly the Americans, 6B.C.'s | Labor Code not only makes it easier for unions to get certification. but it also bans replacement workers during strikes and lock-outs, permits secondary picketing, and eliminates secret ballot provisions. In addition, workers com- pensation premiums have risen steeply, the minimum wage rate has increased by 16%, and, direct provincial public sector employment has increased by $2,000 between 1991-1995. Along with high corporate and income taxes, provincial government labor policies have introduced rigidity into the labor markei and made it difficult for firms to invest in the province. In sum, these initiatives have priced B.C. Labor out of the market. According to Miblar, fur- damentally reforming laber laws by eliminating “closed- shop” and “union-shop” priv- ileges will introduce flexibili- ly in wages and conditions cf work. This will censure that labor markets werk efficiently and thus provide the impetus fer increasing economic activity and the creation of jobs. The study's key recom- mendations include: @ Implementing work Iegislation @ Repealing the recent amendments to the Employ- ment Standards Act; “Si Reducing workers compen- sation benefits to a maximum of 75% of net earnings: @ Eliminating minimum wage legislation; Scrapping the Fair Wage Act; @ Privatizing or contracting- out the delivery of public goods, The evidence from the U.S. and New Zealand sug- gests that Right To Work leg- islation has helped boost eco- nomic growth, job creation, and the standard of living in both countries. @ Between 1988 and 1993, 77% of all new high-paying manufacturing jobs in’ the U.S. were created in the 2t Right ‘To Work states, even though these states have less than 35% of the U.S. popula- tion & Once taxes and cost of liv- ing are taken inte account, a typical family in a Right To Work state in the US. has $2,852 more — disposable income annually than fami- the aggregate level of unem- Notice of election by voting. The following persons have been norninated as candidates at the Provincial General Election for the West Vancouver-Garibaldi Eiectoral District. Candidate’s Name: AUDAIN, Tunya BECKER, Mike BROUGHTON, Brenda DOWN, Muriel D.E. FRENCH, Roland T. GRAYSON, David MERCIER, Jim NEBBELING, Ted STORTZ, Peggy Voting Piaces: Voting Piaces will be open om Tuesday, May 28, 1996 at the following locations from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). West Vancouver-Garioaldi Bowen Island Elementary School, Mt. Gardner Rd., Bowen Island N'quatqua Community Centre, D'arcy Lions Bay Municipal Hall, 400 Centre Rd., Lions Bay Mount Currie Gym, 82 No. 10 Rd., Mount Currie Pemberton Community Centre, 7567 Meadows Rd., Pemberton Brennan Park Leisure Centre, Centennial Way, Squamish Caulfeild Elementary, 4685 Keith Rd., West Varicouver Cypress Park School, 4355 Marine Dr., West Vancouver Eagle Harbour Community Centre, 5575 Marine Dr., West Vancouver Gleneagles Elementary, 6350 Marine Dr., West Vancouver Irwin Park Elementary, 2455 Haywood Ave., West Vancouver St. Anthony Church, 2337 Inglewood Ave., West Vancouver West Vancouver Presbyterian Church 2893 Marine Dr., West Vancouver Myrtle Phillip Comm. Schoe!, 6195 Lorimer Rd., Whistler Pulitical Party or Interest: Libertarian BC Sociai Credit B.C. New Democratic Party B.C. Conservative Party Progressive Democratic Alliance Natural Law Party Reform BC British Columbia Liberal Party Green Party Advance Voting: For those voters unable to attend a Voting Place on General Voting Day, Advance Voting will be held at: 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m. (Local Time) on Wednesday, May 22, to Saturday, May 25, 1996. West Vancouver-Garibaldt Brennan Park Leisure Centre Aquatic Centre Lobby, Centennial Way, Squamish Vacant Store, 2475 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver Myrtle Phillip Comm. School, 6195 Lorimer Rd., Whistier right-to- Any questions? ; . For information on other voting opportunities, call to!l free 1-800-661-8683, or contact your District Electoral Office at: West Vancouver-Garibaldi , District Electoral Office 2477 Bellevue Ave. West Vancouver, V7V 1é1 922-5894