BC Election Special

Dr Strangelove
Posts: 1829
Joined: Wed May 08, 2024 4:50 pm

Re: BC Election Special

Post by Dr Strangelove »

What to expect from a new B.C. NDP government
Budget and affordability
Heading into the election, the NDP projected a nearly $9 billion budget deficit for the current fiscal year — the highest ever in the province — bringing the total provincial debt to $128.6 billion.

But Eby maintained this wasn't a time for spending cuts but for building infrastructure like hospitals, schools and roads.

The party promised an annual tax cut of about $1,000 for households and $500 for individuals. The party also pledged to continue increasing the minimum wage based on inflation.

Eby said he would scrap the carbon tax if the federal government decided to drop it as a requirement.

The B.C. NDP promised to spend $500 million to expand the province's $10-a-day child-care and said the seniors supplement would increase by $50 to $149 per month.

Environment and climate change
The NDP also promised to plant 300 million trees per year to mitigate the impacts of climate change and committed to protecting 30 per cent of B.C.'s land and water by 2030.

The use of RoundUp pesticides in B.C. forests will be phased out, the NDP said in its platform — though it wasn't clear on a projected timeline.

As electric vehicles become more common in B.C., the NDP said it planned to double the number of EV charging stations across the province by 2030.

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Health care, including mental health
Just before the election was called, Eby said he was going to expand the use of involuntary care for those with mental health and addictions in select situations.

The NDP promised to open new centres to support access to care for youth and that it planned to build another Red Fish Healing Centre, expand specialized treatment for parents going through addiction recovery and people with brain injuries and create a treatment centre specifically for construction workers.

During its last term, the B.C. NDP brought in a program allowing pharmacists to prescribe medication for a few conditions. The party promised to expand that program.

After years of emergency room closures across the province, Eby said he would build more Urgent and Primary Care Centres and expand their hours to include nights.

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Sick notes would be eliminated under an NDP government, Eby promised, giving doctors more time with patients.

The NDP promised to make menopause hormone replacement treatment free.

It also promised to spend $324 million over three years to hire nurses, home support workers and other staff that help seniors live independently through programs like Better at Home and Hospital at Home.

Housing
The B.C. NDP has budgeted $1.29 billion to help middle-income homebuyers with up to 40 per cent of the purchase price.

Eby outlined plans to cut red tape preventing construction on smaller, multi-unit developments, use public land to build more homes and bring in pre-approved designs to speed up construction on new homes.

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For renters, the party said it plans to continue to cap residential rent at or below inflation and end no-pet clauses in purpose-built rentals.

In its platform, the NDP promised more housing for Indigenous people throughout the province, both on and off reserve.

Public safety
Eby promised to push the federal government to strengthen bail and sentencing conditions to keep repeat offenders off the streets.

New hate-crime legislation and renewed efforts to seize cash and property from organized crime were promised in the party's election platform, as well as higher fines for people speeding in cars that are valued over $150,000, more red light cameras at busy intersections and a dedicated highway patrol.

Tall order but look at the guy. Freakishly tall.
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al_keda
Posts: 235
Joined: Tue May 14, 2024 7:20 pm

Re: BC Election Special

Post by al_keda »

Well, at least you didn't get the Conservatives.
Dr Strangelove
Posts: 1829
Joined: Wed May 08, 2024 4:50 pm

Re: BC Election Special

Post by Dr Strangelove »

Dodged a bullet there, too bad about Saskatchewan but Moe is in a much weaker position at least.
Dr Strangelove
Posts: 1829
Joined: Wed May 08, 2024 4:50 pm

Re: BC Election Special

Post by Dr Strangelove »

Rustad’s Moral Failure: As the Conservative Party of BC weathered an onslaught of campaign controversies involving hateful comments made by candidates in the past and during the provincial election, leader John Rustad did nothing
Even if Rustad does not remain as the Conservative leader for the next election, any future leadership candidate will have to answer whether Chapman and Brodie — now sitting MLAs — are morally fit as representatives for the Conservative party.

This fallout is not in the hands of the voters. It rests in the hands of Rustad, and it always has, much like the candidates who represented his party.
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