Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin delivers the speech from the throne, Feb. 8 (Image Credit: Flickr / Province of BC)

By Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: We need more action, not empty words from NDP government

Feb 10, 2022 | 10:54 AM

THE SPRING SITTING OF THE LEGISLATURE kicked off this week with the delivery of the NDP government’s Throne Speech. Sadly, it was a bit of a snoozer.

If you were expecting some new ideas to move our economy forward following a pandemic that has put a heavy financial strain on B.C. businesses, you didn’t hear them in this Throne Speech. But the NDP do say a new economic plan is coming sometime soon. Five years into their mandate, and three years into the pandemic, it’s finally coming. Far too little, too late in my view.

Indeed, most of the Throne Speech was dedicated to recycling broken NDP promises from the past rather than providing concrete ideas to give us some hope and optimism for the future. Over and over, this government has promised to improve affordability for families and individuals, but over and over it has failed to deliver.

Home prices and rental costs continue to soar under the NDP, not just in the big cities but in smaller communities as well. We’ve also seen a massive number of private-sector, full-time jobs lost over the past several years. Families continue to sit on daycare waitlists for years and, once they finally do get a spot, most of them are paying much more than the $10 a day the NDP promised.

The NDP also continue to fall short when it comes to helping our most vulnerable. Record numbers of people are tragically losing their lives to opioids, with very few additional beds and supports added to get them the help they need. And the people of Lytton, Merritt and the Fraser Valley continue to wait far too long for relief so they can rebuild following last year’s fires, floods and heat dome.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: It's sad to see so many DEI initiatives cut back

11h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: While working to stem tariff threat, Eby can't neglect systemic healthcare problems in B.C.

Feb 28, 2025

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: February 27, 2025

Feb 27, 2025

As the Opposition Critic for Rural Development, I was also disappointed at the lack of attention paid to rural British Columbia in the Throne Speech. In fact, the word “rural” was only uttered once. This doesn’t bode well for those who were hoping to finally see some action on issues like fire and flood mitigation, road maintenance and connectivity which is so important to help businesses thrive and keep loved ones connected.

British Columbians are tired of words that are not followed by actions. This week’s Throne Speech was a look back, not a look forward. And if do we look back, we can see that the NDP haven’t delivered on the many significant promises they made to the electorate.

We need real plans, with real measurable outcomes — and we need the NDP to be accountable to the people who entrusted them to make their lives better, not worse.

——

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.