File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Expect more of the same from ‘No Action’ Eby

Oct 27, 2022 | 1:40 PM

THE GUY WHO OFFERED FEW CONCRETE IDEAS to tackle the major issues in our province has now successfully driven his only competitor out of the NDP’s messy leadership contest and will become B.C.’s next premier. David Eby takes the new role under a cloud, after nasty allegations of wrongdoing against Anjali Appadurai got her disqualified from the race. Many of those accusations were levelled by Eby’s camp.

Following his tainted win, Eby addressed the media this week — referencing a “100-day plan” for action on public safety, health care and other key challenges. But in typical NDP fashion, he showed up to his event with no specifics. All he could tell reporters was that in the next 100 days, they will see “announcements” and “activity” that “set the groundwork for how in the next two years we are doing to deliver significant change.” Why not just call it a two-year plan then?

But in reality, 100 days, two years — it actually doesn’t matter, because Eby accomplished virtually nothing during his tenure as attorney general and housing minister. In fact, I would argue that his catch-and-release justice system and utter failure to make housing more affordable have actually made life worse for people.

Over the past five years, Eby and current Attorney General Murray Rankin have refused to issue a directive to Crown prosecutors to keep dangerous offenders in custody and keep the public safe — to actually put the rights of community safety ahead of a criminal’s right to reoffend. As a result, violent crime has continued to spiral out of control in our communities.

During his time as housing minister, Eby presided over a blizzard of taxes that did nothing to bring down the cost of homes. In fact, we now have the highest housing prices in North America and the third highest on the planet. Eby and his government promised to build 114,000 housing units over ten years and only built 7,219. He and the NDP repeatedly promised an annual $400 renters’ rebate that never materialized. Meanwhile, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment rental in B.C. has risen by $511 per month to $2,412 according to Rentals.ca.

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While three quarters of renters give up on the dream of ever owning a home in B.C., public records show NDP members have had no trouble racking up 102 residential and vacation properties and pocketing nearly $8.5 million in recent real estate deals — at the same time that they continually chastise legitimate homebuilders and call them ‘speculators.’ The hypocrisy is staggering.

David Eby has provided no evidence over the past six years that he is capable of delivering the significant changes British Columbians are looking for. Public safety and housing affordability are faring worse under his watch — so what makes anyone believe he’ll suddenly be able to turn things around? Or be able to tackle a health care crisis, a drug toxicity crisis and any other major challenges on top of that? I’d like to be proven wrong, but his track record doesn’t make me particularly hopeful.

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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.