Premier John Horgan told a group of business leaders in Victoria that he can feel their pain, but his government won鈥檛 back away from ending the medical fees charged to B.C. residents.

Speaking to a crowd of about 400 at a Victoria Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Horgan said they鈥檙e committed to ending the medical services premium, placing the fee on businesses.

Horgan said he has been hearing from businesses with concerns the 1.95 per cent employers health tax on firms will increase costs and the government has formed a small business task force to look for ways to reduce that burden.

Horgan鈥檚 speech also touched on climate change, Indigenous rights issues, and his government鈥檚 speculation tax on vacant properties to provide more affordable housing and rental homes.

He says the government is continuing to consult with businesses about the employer health tax, but that will be the direction the government is taking.

Related:

The premier said he realizes there are challenges and the government wants to address them with business, but he was making no promises.

鈥淭his is what the rest of the country is doing,鈥� Horgan says. 鈥淭his is not an anomaly. We are catching up.鈥�

Allan Cahoon, president and vice-chancellor at Royal Roads University, says the employer tax is a challenge.

鈥淲hat it means is we鈥檙e going to have to recalculate our ability to generate revenue and accommodate it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was a surprise to get it. I think we can figure out how to do it.鈥�

Related:

The Canadian Press

Like us on and follow us on .