Liberals a 'threat to your customers,' Paul Davis tells board of trade

The official provincial election campaign is not yet underway, but you wouldn't say it based on recent speeches from Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Paul Davis.

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Davis addressed the St. John's Board of Trade Tuesday, and was once again railing against the opposition, warning business leaders the Liberals and Leader Dwight Ball will be a "threat to your customers and your businesses."

With a tone and message similar to the campaign-style speech he delivered to delegates attending the biennial convention Friday of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public and Private Employees (NAPE), Davis focused his attack on the party that polls say is favoured to win the Nov. 30 election.

He used the word "Liberal" 13 times, and didn't once reference the New Democrats.

"They'll be throwing thousands of people out of work — and those thousands will be your customers — the people who buy your cars and houses and other products, who eat in your restaurants, who use your services," Davis said.

The PC plan, he said, is to shrink the public sector service through attrition without shocking the economy.

Liberals will 'say anything' to get your vote

Davis said the Progressive Conservatives are promising leadership and hope, and mockingly referred to the Liberal Economic Assessment Project as the "Liberal Empty Action Plan," saying it was supposed to be released in September.

"If it was good news, you can be sure they'd be telling it," said Davis.

He said the Liberals will "say anything to get your vote," and promised the 300-plus people in attendance at the Holiday Inn in St. John's he was "ready to be your partner in success."

If it was good news, you can be sure they'd be telling it.- Paul Davis on Liberal plan

Despite financial uncertainty, he said the province's economy remains strong, with an unemployment rate at one of the lowest levels in 40 years, and average weekly earnings that are second only to Alberta.

He said the PCs are best positioned to "create the conditions for success."

Promising lowest small business taxes

In a message that was likely was well received by his audience, Davis promised to deliver the country's lowest tax rates to small businesses.

He will also establish a "blue ribbon" panel to advise the government on policies and opportunities to make the province a national leader in innovation, and use revenues from electricity sales to other jurisdictions to lower rates at home.

The PC plan also envisions the creation of a Crown corporation, led by experienced business professionals, to manage the government's business portfolio.

"It will be a business … and it will run with the speed of business," he said.

"We will be your bridge between great business ideas and economic prospects and jobs."

He also had a message for those who think the PCs are poised to be ousted from power in a little over a month: "think again."

"Personally, I've already faced seemingly insurmountable challenges, and I've triumphed over them," Davis said.