When Gordon Campbell’s Liberal party won a massive majority on the strength of their New Era electoral platform in 2001, the premier’s first act was to fulfill his campaign pledge to reduce personal income taxes. Big Promises, Small Government reveals the consequences of dramatic tax policy changes on social programs, arguing for more sustainable taxation. Despite sharply declining economic indices, the new premier expected that lower taxes would spur investment and growth, essentially paying for themselves. Instead, the precipitous and ideological decision to cut taxes and exempt health and education – some 70 percent of the provincial budget – from any decrease in expenditures, left smaller ministries scrambling to absorb the cuts to maintain a balanced budget. The damage was significant. This insider recounting of the real-world genesis, implementation, and consequences of a tax policy offers vital lessons to future governments and considerable insight into the role of taxes in society.

George M. Abbott's profile page

Vaughn Palmer's profile page

George M. Abbott is a public policy consultant and president of Circle Square Solutions Ltd. in Victoria, British Columbia. He enjoyed thirty-five years in elected public office, including seventeen years as MLA for Shuswap and twelve years as a cabinet minister. Among his portfolios were Health; Education; Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; Sustainable Resource Management; and Community, Aboriginal, and Women’s Services. Prior to his election to the legislature in 1996, George served in local government as director and chair of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District as a councillor at the District of Sicamous. He currently serves as director and chair of Technical Safety BC.

Big Promises, Small Government should be of special interest to students of public policy and public administration. But it also deserves a wider readership. Clearly written and displaying the dry wit for which Abbott was renowned during his years in public life, the book provides an insightful account of the first of Gordon Campbell’s three terms of office.

BC Studies