Image Credit: Flickr / Province of BC

By Langley-East MLA Megan Dykeman

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: One year of New Democrats building a stronger B.C.

Oct 27, 2021 | 10:06 AM

THIS WEEK MARKS ONE YEAR since the 2020 provincial election, when people in British Columbia entrusted New Democrats with the responsibility of building a stronger province for everyone.

This last year has been challenging. From COVID-19’s impact on front line workers, small business owners and families, to another season of record heat waves and out-of-control wildfires – people have been through a lot. For many of us, the future feels uncertain.

British Columbians made a clear choice in the election. The people in this province chose a government that is committed to lifting everyone up; instead of government by a party focused only on the wealthy and the well-connected.

That’s what we promised, and that is what we have been working to do over the last year. Although we have made significant progress during this past year, we know that there is still much more to do. We’re going to keep working hard every single day to fulfill our commitment to all British Columbians.

In the past year we’ve taken several important steps to make life more affordable for people. After the BC Liberals used ICBC as a teller machine to cut taxes for their wealthy friends, we made it work for people again — saving drivers hundreds of dollars a year, with the largest rate reduction in ICBC’s history. We’ve increased supports that improve the lives of 300,000 people in need across the province, with the largest ever increases to income and disability assistance and the seniors supplement. We made transit free for kids 12 and under and continue to build thousands of homes people can afford across the province.

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We are also improving the health care services that people count on. We’re opening more Urgent and Primary Care Centres, making it easier for people to see a doctor or nurse. We are also accelerating our response to the toxic drug crisis and investing in more treatment and recovery services in every health region. Approximately 90 per cent of eligible British Columbians have rolled up their sleeve to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and we are implementing permanent paid sick leave so people do not have to choose between going to work sick or losing wages.

The climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our time. As part of our response, we are launching a review to eliminate outdated, inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. We are making it easier and more affordable to switch from fossil fuels to clean electricity and accelerating measures in our continent-leading CleanBC plan to meet critical targets for reducing emissions. This is not a challenge we will overcome in one year, five years, or even ten years. There is so much more to do for people and our planet — now and into the future.

I know that despite the progress we have made, many British Columbians are still facing significant challenges. I am proud of the way people have pulled together and taken care of each other through the pandemic. As your BC NDP government, it is our job to help people; it is a job I take extremely seriously. We have more work to do to make life more affordable for all of the people of British Columbia; to improve the services that people of British Columbia rely on, and to ensure that all British Columbians come out of this pandemic stronger than we were before.

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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.