NDP candidates Wayne Stetski, Peter Julian, unveil small business initiative
By Brendan Quinn
Prior to speaking at the Save Canada Post Caravan Rally Monday at the City Hall Courtyard, two NDP candidates stopped off at the Nelson’s own Torch Light Brewery to discuss the craft beer initiative for the party.
The speaking engagement was part of the NDP small business initiative.
MP Candidate for Kootenay Columbia, Wayne Stetski, together with MP for Burnaby-New Westminster, Peter Julian, met with Craig Swendson and Josh Secord, the founders of Torch Light Brewing Company and Nelson natives to chat about the party’s plans to implement a tax credit for craft breweries producing less than 15,001 hectorites of beer annually.
The two owners chatted with Stetski and Julian about their love for good beer and the creation of Torch Light, formerly known as Beacon Brewing, before taking him on a guided tour of the facilities.
Julian said that more jobs are created out of small businesses, and that by helping homegrown companies like Torch Light develop and flourish there would also be more inclination to buy local, as opposed to giving even more money to giant, foreign owned companies like Budweiser.
The initiative aims to reduce the small business tax rate from 11% to 9%.
Julian also discussed the NDP’s plans to place a cap on merchant fees, which can be up to five times higher in Canada than in other developed nations.
Stetski, the former Mayor of Cranbrook, is running for the NDP in Kootenay Columbia riding against, Green Party candidate Bill Green, Liberal candidate Don Johnston and incumbent Conservative MP, David Wilks.
The Federal Election is set for October 19, 2015.
