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By Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: NDP promises affordability – and fails spectacularly

Feb 17, 2022 | 12:31 PM

IF YOU’VE NOTICED YOUR GROCERY BILLS SEEM HIGHER and the cost of everything appears to be going up, you’re not alone — and you’re not wrong.

The latest figures from Statistics Canada show inflation surpassed 5 per cent in January. The last time we saw that happen was September 1991. B.C. has experienced seven straight months of elevated inflation with the cost of everything from housing, gasoline and groceries rising by 4.3 per cent last month.

Despite Premier John Horgan’s promise to make life more affordable, the Dalhousie University Agri-Food Analytics lab predicts prices will rise 5 to 7 per cent this year — translating to an extra $966 dollars out of pocket for a family of four. Leading the way is the cost of beef, pork and chicken, which have seen price increases up to 14 per cent since last year, according to Statistics Canada.

Although he campaigned on a promise to improve housing affordability and make a dent in rising home prices, John Horgan and his NDP government have failed on both fronts. They brought in a blizzard of new taxes on housing in 2018 and the result nearly five years later is that we have the most expensive housing prices in the history of this province.

Despite only assessing 2 per cent more properties in 2021, BC Assessment values jumped 20 per cent in the Lower Mainland. January 2022 statistics from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver show that the average detached home in Metro Vancouver now costs $2.3 million, an all-time high. And with that kind of pressure, many individuals and families are looking elsewhere for more affordable options, including communities like Kamloops. A single-family home in the Kamloops and District area has hit an average of $849,911, up 42.6 per cent year over year.

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The situation for renters is no better. Provincially, renters are paying $2,376 more per year on average under this government versus 2017. Here in Kamloops, rents are up an average of $205 per month, or $2,460 per year. While the NDP campaigned on the promise of a $400 renters’ rebate to help alleviate some pressure, the cheques have yet to materialize nearly five years later.

What about gas prices? John Horgan made a number of pledges in 2018 and 2019 to monitor gas prices and “take steps if necessary,” but again, there’s been no action to match the talk. In January, gas prices in Vancouver set a record at $1.77 per litre and experts predict the new normal could be closer to $1.85 a litre. In Kamloops, gas prices were $1.05 per litre in July of 2017 but lately, they’ve been hovering closer to $1.64 a litre.

This premier and this government like to talk the talk, but they have yet to prove they can walk the walk when it comes to improving affordability for British Columbians. Until they start making some moves, expect more hits to your pocketbook in the coming months.

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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.