File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Taking action for people

May 22, 2024 | 10:30 AM

BRITISH COLUMBIA IS A BEAUTIFUL and amazing place to live, but together we have faced unbelievable challenges over the last few years, like global inflation, the pandemic, climate-related emergencies and more.

Under the leadership of Premier David Eby, our government has focused on the lives of everyday people, not the privileged and wealthy. If John Rustad or Kevin Falcon, leader of the B.C. Conservatives and the official opposition, were to be Premier, they would prioritize people at the top over the needs of the many.

As we bring this legislative session to a close, we’re looking back on actions we’ve taken for people on the things that matter most, like housing, health care, and the cost of living.

Housing that people can access and afford is a huge priority for British Columbians, especially as our province continues to grow, and through actions like implementing short-term rental rules, expanding the First Time Home Buyers program, and introducing a property flipping tax we’re making progress on making housing more affordable and accessible.

We’ve also taken more action for renters and landlords by introducing new measures to crack down on bad-faith evictions this year and help landlords build secondary suites on their property that can be turned into long-term rentals. As always, our government is working hard to make homes for people, not more housing for speculators or vacation properties for the wealthy. If John Rustad or Kevin Falcon were in charge of the housing file, they would put speculation over solutions when it comes to the housing crisis.

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We’ve also been focused heavily on strengthening healthcare by increasing access to critical services, supporting healthcare workers, and investing in infrastructure. In addition to adding 708 new family doctors to the province in 2024, we’ve supported health care professionals by introducing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. Cancer care is also seeing improvements as we announced two new cancer centers in Kamloops and Nanaimo and a new acute care tower coming to Surrey Memorial Hospital.

This is in addition to other historic health care announcements, like supporting people on their path to parenthood with access to one free round of IVF. Something that will make such a difference for especially rural British Columbians, is introducing at-home screening for HPV. These actions on health care are because we believe in investing in people, not cutting services in health care like we saw under the leader of the opposition Kevin Falcon’s previous Liberal government.

We know that British Columbians are struggling with global inflation, and we’re making it a priority to ease everyday costs for people. We’re putting money back in people’s pockets through actions like huge reductions in child care fees, increases to the B.C. Family Benefit Bonus, the B.C. Climate Action Credit and the B.C. Electricity Affordability credit.

In addition to work we’ve done since 2017 to overhaul ICBC, just a few weeks ago we announced another $110 rebate for drivers in B.C. and committed to a 6th year in a row of frozen rates. On average, our changes to ICBC have saved British Columbians $2,000.

This Spring session has been marked by decisive action to address pressing issues facing people here in B.C. In addition to tackling the housing crisis, strengthening healthcare and lowering everyday costs, the government has made investments and changes to support a cleaner economy that works for everyone, mental health and addictions supports, public safety, emergency management and building more infrastructure to support growth.

Our government knows that investing in people will always pay off, but much of the action we’ve taken this year, like the flipping tax, protecting children from protests and harassment while they are learning at school, and fixing ICBC have been opposed by Kevin Falcon and John Rustad. If they were in power, they would cut services for people and give breaks to people at the top.

There’s more work to do, and we’re going to continue taking action for people and working towards a British Columbia that works for everyone.

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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.