SOUND OFF: People still waiting for affordability in 2024

If anything, the NDP has made matters worse. They have added dozens of new taxes over the last few years that continue to take more money out of the pockets of British Columbians than ever before. Despite their many election promises, housing is more expensive than ever, and B.C. now has the most unaffordable housing in North America.

The NDP has failed to live up to their commitment of $10-a-day childcare for everyone who needs it. And they continue to plough forward with their disastrous CleanBC scheme that is set to shrink paycheques, harm the economy, and lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of B.C. jobs — all while failing to reduce emissions.

These are not the actions of a government that truly wants to make life more affordable for everyday people.

We know that more than half of British Columbians are less than $200 away from insolvency at the end of each month, and the pressure of that financial burden is never felt more than during the holiday season. People want to be able to buy gifts for their loved ones, take part in festivities, and put delicious meals on the table. But this year, it is more challenging than ever to afford those treasured traditions.

I sincerely hope that in 2024, Premier David Eby and his NDP government do more than acknowledge the challenges facing our province, but actually enact practical solutions to help people make ends meet. Solutions like the ones our BC United Caucus, under the leadership of Kevin Falcon, have been calling for all year.

I’m proud to be part of a team that does not just empathize with people’s struggles but has a bold plan to make their lives better. This year our team suggested policies like removing the provincial fuel tax to save people as much as $30 every time they fill their vehicle with gas, or removing the carbon tax from all home heating fuels so that people can afford to stay warm in the winter.

These are tangible solutions that a BC United government would immediately implement, leaving more money in the pockets of British Columbians — where it belongs.

Affordability is unfortunately just another broken NDP promise — like housing, like childcare, and as we know all too well here in Kamloops, like the cancer centre. With the official start of winter, the NDP has missed yet another deadline on the Kamloops Cancer Centre, as earlier this year they promised they would have a finalized business plan for the project “completed by the fall.” Unfortunately, the fall has come and gone, and once again Kamloopsians are left waiting, empty-handed.

People deserve so much better than broken promises and worsening affordability. It’s time for a government that does more than say the right things, but actually does the work required to deliver results for British Columbians.

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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.

by Peter Milobar, Kamloops-North Thompson MLA

SOUND OFF: People still waiting for affordability in 2024

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