The Comox Valley鈥檚 been my home for 27 years. I鈥檝e been involved as a community activist, worked with environmental non-profit organizations, and served as an elected Courtenay councillor for nine years. My husband and I raised our two children here. After seeing the erosion of the community you and I care about, it is time to build a better B.C. Under the Christy Clark Liberals, life has become unaffordable, with rising fees and charges, cuts to needed services, and a lack of permanent, decent paying jobs. People want better representation, accountability, and transparency in government.
The affordability crisis hits hard when it comes to housing and increasing costs.
Finding affordable rental accommodation is nearly impossible. In Courtenay-Comox, there are less than 22 units available at any given time for a population of 55,000. John Horgan and the BCNDP will build 114,000 affordable units in British Columbia, directly and in partnership, provide annual $400 rent rebates to tenants, and strengthen protections for both landlords and tenants.
While Christy Clark has given a $1 billion tax cut to the top 2%, British Columbians have had to pick up the tab with increasing fees and taxes. A BCNDP government will freeze hydro rates and ferry fares (plus a 15% reduction on smaller routes and return of 100% weekday discount for seniors), eliminate MSP premiums, and stop the Liberals 42% increase to ICBC. We will return tuition-free adult basic education, eliminate interest on B.C. student loans, and on graduation, a $1,000 grant will reduce the loan debt.
The lack of services we need is at an all-time high.
The Comox Valley has a lower ratio of care beds to seniors than Victoria or Campbell River. A BCNDP government will increase the time home care workers can spend with seniors, so they can stay in their own homes longer.
A whole generation of students in K-12 have suffered from education cuts. The recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling will improve 100 classrooms in SD71, but more needs to be done. The BCNDP will properly fund classrooms and equipment, so parents aren鈥檛 fundraising for basic necessities.
Good jobs in a sustainable economy are missing ingredients to a better B.C.
We deserve a government that includes Courtenay-Comox, and not just Vancouver, in its vision of a sustainable economy. The BCNDP will create a new energy economy, tackling climate change with deep energy reductions, supporting innovation, and investing in training which will bring jobs to every corner of British Columbia. We鈥檒l revitalize our forestry sector, stimulate manufacturing, and invest in our tech sector.
The BCNDP plan puts forward a balanced budget, with moderate surpluses, based on the Liberal budget 2017 figures. The growth projections are modest and estimates are conservative. Good fiscal management comes by enacting choices that make you the priority. As your premier, John Horgan will work for you.
Finally, the BCNDP will bring proportional representation and an end to big money in politics, to build a better B.C. Visit www.bcndp.ca/platform and vote Ronna-Rae Leonard BCNDP.
