I was pleased to hear of highway upgrades west of Salmon Arm. These deficiencies were identified in the Ministry of Transportation’s study in 1990. Not much good news.
Minimum wage falling ever further behind. One hundred and seventy-six public schools closed. Seniors hurting. Health-care costs rising. Not enough doctors. Housing prices, tripled since 2005, show no signs of coming down. In fact, a new provincial loan program will drive prices even higher due to increased competition and increase the buyer’s debt. As a parent and a grandparent I’m afraid. How will my kids afford a house? Will my granddaughter get an education?
So many concerns. Christy Clark announced the approval of an LNG project which the Squamish First Nation boycotted due to lack of agreement with their council. Site C dam is being rushed into, incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, while First Nations legal challenges work their way through the courts. Ads claiming $20 billion dollar investment in LNG were pulled after accusations of misleading advertising. Eighty-five per cent of legal aid offices closed, funding to social assistance, mental health, youth supports and supports for people with disabilities all cut.
Somehow, while cutting everything dear to us and raising MSP, hydro and ICBC rates, the provincial debt has still increased by 60 per cent. Despite negative propaganda, under the NDP the finances have been, and will be, better managed, with a focus on helping citizens and small businesses.
It’s time for a better B.C. Eliminate MSP premiums, get ICBC under control (by not skimming profits), close tax loopholes, focus on job growth and public services. Stop using public tax money to spread propaganda. Real job growth (not part time, precarious work) and public scrutiny of Site C dam are two things I am looking forward to.
Sylvia Lindgren
NDP candidate for MLA