Taxes are emerging as an early dividing line in British Columbia’s provincial election campaign, with Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson promising not to introduce new provincial taxes or increase existing ones if his party forms government.

Doerkson made the pledge in Surrey on Sunday as part of the B.C. Conservatives’ first major policy announcement of the campaign.

He argued British Columbians are already paying too much and criticized the NDP government’s record on affordability and taxation.

Doerkson pointed specifically to changes involving the lowest provincial income-tax rate and the freezing of tax brackets.

The Conservative announcement follows a housing-related tax proposal unveiled Friday by NDP Leader David Eby.

Eby says an NDP government would introduce a new tax on unsold condominiums and increase B.C.’s speculation and vacancy tax if his party is returned to office.

The competing announcements come as the province faces a projected deficit of $13.8 billion, raising questions about how the parties would balance their campaign commitments with B.C.’s financial position.

Asked how a Conservative government would address the deficit without raising taxes, Doerkson said his party would focus on expanding the economy and revitalizing the province’s resource industries.

He maintains that stronger economic growth would generate additional government revenue while avoiding further increases to the financial burden faced by households and businesses.

The NDP and Conservatives are expected to release additional policy commitments as the campaign continues.

British Columbians will head to the polls on Saturday, October 24.