What is happening to
the quality of life?

I am concerned about what is happening in our community.

Everyday in B.C., life gets more expensive for families already stretched by rising costs and a cooling economy. Whether it’s Campbell’s new gas tax, higher hydro rates, high rents and housing prices, higher food costs, increased ICBC premiums, rising ferry costs or higher transit fares, the affordability crunch is forcing families to put their groceries on their credit cards. First time homebuyers are seeing their life savings threatened as pre-purchased property developments get into financial difficulty. It’s harder than ever to balance the family budget.

Poverty and the threat of being homeless have moved beyond the Downtown Eastside to other communities, where working families are falling behind. In fact, BC has the worst child poverty rate in the country for the last five years and the average British Columbian’s median income has remained stagnant. The number of homeless in BC is estimated at between 10,000 and 15,000. Yet, this government continues to refuse to give minimum-wage earners an increase. But somehow, Premier Campbell thought it appropriate to give a raise of up to 43% to his top deputies. And why is the government spending $29.5 million on self-promoting advertising this year instead of putting the money into services?

With the economic meltdown spreading from the U.S.A., there is no doubt that BC will be impacted. The Opposition has a plan that targets our local economy. On 27 October, Opposition Leader Carole James made a TV speech. In it, she said:

“When the Premier cancelled the fall sitting of the legislature, I went on the road, listening to British Columbians where you live and where you work. Forest workers and their families are worried about their jobs. Small business owners are worried about the price of gas and the lack of tourists. Homeowners are concerned about meeting their mortgage payments and falling house prices. Students wonder how they are going to pay for rising tuition. And seniors are worried about their retirement savings. These problems existed before the stock markets plummeted ... but now they are getting worse.

“Last week the Premier finally made a statement, but he offered very few specifics and little hope to struggling families. He’s still out of touch with your needs.

“I believe we can – we must – do more to help ordinary families through these turbulent economic times. Tonight, I will offer additional steps that I believe we need to take to secure our economy, and to help the middle class. These steps are focussed on the fundamentals:

middle class and small business tax relief;
skills training and education;
community and green infrastructure;
a re-vitalized forest industry; and
getting rid of government waste so we protect the things that matter most to British Columbians: quality health care, education, environmental protection – the fundamental services that far too often end up on the chopping block.

“Many of these proposals can be acted on today. Others build for the long-term. They all share one thing in common – supporting you in difficult economic times. And they all can be taken while maintaining fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets.”

If you would like a copy of the full speech, please contact my office. A video of Carole’s statement is available at the Opposition Caucus website.