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SOUND OFF: David Eby must scrap his failed decriminalization experiment
FOR THE LAST 15 MONTHS, the BC United Caucus has relentlessly called on the NDP to scrap their decriminalization experiment, pointing to the rapid increase of open drug use, chaos on the streets, and the devastating number of lives lost. Communities have been forced to grapple with a surge of drug-related activity, wit...
3h ago
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SOUND OFF: Feel good about growing food indoors
IT IS EASIER THAN EVER to grow food indoors. Imagine growing tomatoes in the kitchen, strawberries in the living room, bell peppers in the basement, mesclun greens at the office, herbs in the closet, and beets in the classroom year round - all with minimal effort and energy! Indoor gardening and food production technol...
23h ago
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SOUND OFF: B.C.'s new industrial blueprint
AS WE LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE, it's crucial that we grow our economy and create stable jobs for people while also reducing the impacts of climate change. Our new blueprint for BC's industrial future is called Clean and Competitive. It outlines a pathway to drive investment, create job opportunities, and embrace clean en...
May 01, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Collins off base by dismissing City of Kamloops staff safety concerns
IN RESPONSE TO Doug Collins' column on April 28, I believe he has missed the mark. A study from two years ago by Western University, the University of Toronto and the Canadian Labour Congress found that 71.4 per cent of workers had experienced at least one form of harassment or abuse in the workplace. Being bullied by ...
May 01, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Police confirm diversion of government-supplied drugs
DAVID EBY PROMISED REAL ACTION that would save lives in the overdose crisis when he became premier. But a year and a half later, the results couldn't be worse. In 2023 overdose deaths hit an all-time high, with 2,511 people losing their lives to drugs. That's a five percent increase from the previous record of 2,383 de...
Apr 25, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Short-term rental rules coming into effect in British Columbia
I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE who have concerns that they are having trouble finding options for a new home to live in, while thousands of short-term rentals are taking needed long-term homes off the market. That's why this past fall, our government introduced new legislation to help more people get into homes faster, includi...
Apr 24, 2024
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SOUND OFF: The NDP's mishandling of drug use in B.C. hospitals
RECENTLY EXPOSED internal communications and firsthand accounts have revealed that drug use in B.C. hospitals is not only tolerated but also facilitated by current NDP policies. This ridiculous approach is endangering dedicated healthcare staff and the patients they serve.Under the NDP's failed decriminalization policy...
Apr 18, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Strengthening our wildfire training
LAST SUMMER, B.C. saw its most devastating wildfire season on record. Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate from their homes, disrupting lives and communities. As the impacts of climate change continue to accelerate, I think it's clear to all of us that we need to take bold steps to keep people safe, prot...
Apr 17, 2024
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SOUND OFF: NDP flip flop on carbon tax kickback investigation
LAST WEEK, OUR BC UNITED CAUCUS raised concerns about allegations suggesting that the accounting firm MNP engaged in practices that present conflicts of interest in administering two CleanBC carbon tax-funded grant programs. Edison Motors, a B.C.-based electric logging truck company, raised the issue when they claimed ...
Apr 11, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Protecting renters and landlords
MOST LANDLORDS AND TENANTS have a good, healthy relationship and play by the rules. But we all know there are some bad actors out there that take advantage of the system. That's why last week our government took action to better protect renters and landlords. Too many people have been served an eviction notice so that ...
Apr 10, 2024
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SOUND OFF: NDP endorses drug use in our hospitals in leaked memo
RECENTLY, WE UNCOVERED A SHOCKING MEMO sent to nurses that permits the use of drugs and weapons in hospital rooms.The entire memo is outrageous - under the NDP, illicit drug use and even drug trafficking in hospitals are not just tolerated but endorsed.Bravely, nurses are coming forward with horrifying stories of daily...
Apr 04, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Connecting communities through active transportation
EVERY DAY, more and more people are choosing cycling, running and walking for daily travel instead of driving a car. This also gives people opportunities to enjoy nature, get active and be an important part of building healthy, green, thriving communities.As such, there is a growing demand for infrastructure like trail...
Apr 03, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Culinary kinship - the crucial role of community for food entrepreneurs
IF YOU'VE EVER EMBARKED ON an entrepreneurial journey of any kind, you may have experienced some feelings of loneliness along the way - especially if you're operating solo, it's common to feel isolated. It can be difficult for anyone else to understand the intimate details of your business and the challenges that you a...
Apr 02, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Carbon tax incentivizes us all to reduce emissions
AS CANADIANS BRACE for the carbon tax hike planned on April 1, seven of Canada's ten provincial premiers have urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reverse the decision. Most recently, the B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation visited Premier David Eby's Vancouver constituency office on March 21, urging h...
Apr 01, 2024
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SOUND OFF: NDP carbon tax hke adding to British Columbians' financial burdens
WITH DAVID EBY STILL PLANNING to increase B.C.'s carbon tax on April 1, our BC United Caucus continues to call on the NDP to halt the hike. British Columbians are facing an affordability crisis with the cost of living higher than ever, folks simply can't afford another government tax grab that only adds to the financia...
Mar 28, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Protecting our communities from flooding
THE DEVASTATING FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES in November 2021 were incredibly challenging and frightening for people, especially throughout the Fraser Valley. We have learned a lot about flood mitigation and emergency preparedness since, including the importance of working together with local communities and First Nations. We...
Mar 27, 2024
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SOUND OFF: NDP and Eby's carbon tax increase will only make affordability issues worse
DESPITE A MAJOR AFFORDABILITY CRISIS currently gripping British Columbia, the NDP government is proceeding with their planned 23 percent carbon tax increase on April 1. It's the latest in a string of 32 new and increased taxes under David Eby and the NDP that will only increase cost-of-living pressures and make life mo...
Mar 21, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Investing in safe and thriving communities
THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE in British Columbia are our greatest strength. Over the past few years, we've seen our population grow. People want to live and raise their families in our communities. But at the same time, the impacts of climate change are putting pressure on some of our community infrastructure. That's why your ...
Mar 20, 2024
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SOUND OFF: B.C.'s health care system moves closer to collapse
EVERY BRITISH COLUMBIAN deserves access to timely and dignified health care. This week in the B.C. legislature, I shared the heart-wrenching story of an elderly man from my community who was neglected in a hospital bed, left with his feet hanging over the rails to avoid laying in his own waste. The lack of basic care a...
Mar 14, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Health care access, reproductive health; a key priority for B.C. government
AN ACCESSIBLE, HIGH-QUALITY and sustainable healthcare system is a top priority for British Columbians, and it is for us, too. British Columbians should have a healthcare system that is there to meet their evolving needs. David Eby and our government are making record-setting investments in recruiting and training more...
Mar 13, 2024
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SOUND OFF: NDP's public safety crisis failing British Columbians
ONE OF THE CORE FUNCTIONS of our provincial government is the responsibility to look after British Columbians, ensuring people have access to health care, education and safe communities. But right now, people do not feel safe in their communities. Over the last few years, we've noticed rising rates of crime and street ...
Mar 08, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Taking action to ease everyday costs
A FEW WEEKS AGO, our government announced Budget 2024, outlining actions we're taking to address the cost of living for British Columbians. Despite rising global inflation, we are committed to supporting people here in B.C. by putting more money back into their pockets through new and expanded programs that help addres...
Mar 06, 2024
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SOUND OFF: NDP budget spends more, delivers less
WHEN DAVID EBY BECAME PREMIER OVER A YEAR AGO, he promised to deliver results that people could see, feel, and touch.Last week, the NDP delivered their 8th and final budget before the 2024 election, Eby's final chance to deliver on his promises to British Columbians. Unfortunately, this budget maintains the status quo ...
Feb 29, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Government bringing more housing to B.C. in new budget
LAST WEEK, MY COLLEAGUES AND I returned to Victoria for our first week back in the legislature. Our government presented our Throne Speech and Budget 2024, which lays out our priorities for a stronger British Columbia that focuses on the things that matter most to British Columbians.My colleagues and I know that housin...
Feb 28, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Eby's budget inflating costs, preserving the status quo
EARLIER THIS WEEK DAVID EBY and the NDP made their Speech from the Throne, a sneak peek at what to expect with their upcoming budget. However, if the proposed budget is anything like their throne speech, there is little hope on the horizon for the millions of British Columbians struggling to make ends meet.In classic N...
Feb 22, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Your garbage, your privacy and the City of Kamloops supplemental budget
THIS TUESDAY (Feb. 20), the City of Kamloops held its 2024 budget consultation to inform the residents of how the budgeting process works and the supplemental budget items. The city staff have put on another successful event - staff, council and the mayor were all on hand. It was a great chance to catch up and learn ab...
Feb 21, 2024
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SOUND OFF: BC Builds helps bring more housing to British Columbians
I HEAR ALL THE TIME in my office about how too many rental homes are out of reach for people, even if they make a decent, middle-class wage, and how people are feeling forced to spend more than half of their income on housing alone. Global inflation, high interest rates, rising construction costs and their effect on th...
Feb 21, 2024
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SOUND OFF: Wildfire victims continue to scramble for supports
FOR MANY, A NEW YEAR signals a fresh start that allows them to put the past year behind them. Unfortunately, for many families who have been impacted by wildfires and floods, this year is just another reminder of the delays they have dealt with and the challenges they've faced trying to rebuild their homes.More familie...
Feb 15, 2024
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