Kevin Falcon (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

KEVIN FALCON

B.C. Liberals expecting new premier Eby to push ‘flurry of announcements’

Nov 18, 2022 | 4:14 PM

KAMLOOPS —As David Eby was being sworn in as the 37th premier of British Columbia Friday afternoon (Nov. 18), the leader of the official opposition was in Kamloops.

“I guarantee you will see a whole flurry of announcements from David Eby and the NDP, but I want the public to remember it’s the outcomes and the results they have to focus on,” said Kevin Falcon.

When Eby takes the premiers seat in Victoria on Monday (Nov. 21) morning, he will have just one week to begin enacting his future plans for the province before the legislature adjourns for the winter.

“David Eby has on the areas that he has been responsible for, housing — bad news, crime — we’ve never seen it worse in virtually every community. And what will he do, I know he’ll do it, he’ll just keep making more announcements,” said Falcon.

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As Eby took over the top position in B.C., Falcon drew attention to his previous files within the government, starting with his time as the housing minister.

“We are halfway through their mandate. They are in their second term of government. How many houses have they built of the 114,000? Six per cent — and many of those started under the B.C. Liberals. How are they doing on rents? We have the highest rents in Canada right now, certainly in the Lower Mainland of B.C. How are they doing on housing affordability? We now have the highest housing prices in North America,” stated Falcon.

On crime, and what the Liberals have been calling the NDP’s ‘catch and release policy,’ Falcon wants to see the province tougher on crime and keep people in custody.

“Because the NDP have an ideology that says we have to be as lenient as possible with people who are committing repeat violent crimes… I totally disagree with their approach,” said Falcon. “We need to hold them in custody so they are not being released on bail conditions that they completely ignore or don’t follow any of the bail conditions whatsoever. And they are going back into the communities doing real harm to people.”

During Eby’s first speech as leader of the province, he announced a $100 rebate for B.C. Hydro customers. The Liberal leader cautioned the public on the initiative.

“This government is just all talk. They years ago promised a one-time, $400 rebate for renters and look it’s almost meaningless, but the fact of the matter is they still haven’t even done that. And today, I see David Eby talking about giving back a hydro rebate of $100. Look, it’s too little, too timid, and too late,” said Falcon.

CFJC will have more of our sit-down interview with Kevin Falcon on Monday as the Liberal leader will discuss his party’s plans to tackle the mental health and substance use challenges, as well as problems in health care.