The new B. C. Conservative government campaigned on commitments to tackle B. C.’s growing deficit and to reverse many policies implemented by the B. C. NDP over the past nine years.
According to their platform, the Conservatives aim to cut the province’s deficit down to $10.8 billion by 2030. They also promise to halt outside hiring, eliminate consultants, and reassess spending across ministries in search of billions in savings.
Here are some key promises made by the new Conservative government led by premier-designate Lorne Doerkson.
No PST on Canadian alcohol
The Conservatives stated they will increase B. C.’s basic personal income tax exemption from $13,216 to $32,000, which they claim would lower provincial taxes by about $1,000 for each person.
The incoming administration says it won’t raise current taxes or create new ones and plans to cut much of the “red tape” that has been introduced by the NDP since 2017, particularly regarding housing construction.
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Additionally, they intend to eliminate the provincial sales tax (PST) on Canadian beer, wine, spirits – as well as certain machinery, industrial equipment and software.
They also propose a first job tax credit for businesses covering up to $5,000 of payroll for young British Columbians entering their first job.
Health care and drug crisis
The B. C. Conservatives maintain their commitment to keep health care universal and publicly funded despite concerns raised by the NDP suggesting a move towards privatization of health services.
They have promised completion of both the new Surrey Hospital and B. C. Cancer Centre while also planning a new women’s and children’s hospital in Surrey.
Doerkson has pledged to maintain health-care funding in B. C. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
Furthermore, they plan on expanding detoxification and treatment services while ending safe supply programs as part of efforts against the toxic drug crisis.
The party intends to modify the Mental Health Act so that officers can connect individuals with severe addiction or mental health issues who can’t take care of themselves with “mandatory care.”
Transit improvements and auto insurance changes
The Conservatives have committed to replacing Delta’s George Massey Tunnel with a 10-lane bridge while scrapping the existing tunnel replacement project.
They’ve also vowed to extend Sky Train service into Surrey’s Newton area.
In one of their campaign’s most controversial points , the Conservatives announced plans , to eliminate no-fault auto insurance in B. C. p>The party claims some accident victims could then sue , with capped legal fees. p>WATCH | Proposalto largely scrapno-fault insurance:B. C. Conservatives’plans toscrapno-faultautoinsuranceraisesconcernsaboutrates p >LNGandclimatechange h 2 >The Conservatives ’ energystrategy aims todouble liquefiednaturalgas productionby2032andtripleitby2035. p >They’vepledgedtorepeal Clean BC, a B. CNDP initiative aimedat reducingclimate-changingemissionsby40 percentby2030. p >Expandingtrades training h 2 >The Conservativespromise toupgrade dual-creditprograms , apprenticeships, andpaidworkexperience , simplifyingtheprocessfor schools tohire qualifiedtradespeople, anddeveloping a Future Mining Jobs Blueprintin conjunctionwithindustry.
Thepartyalsoenvisions restoringlettergradesfor grades4tonineandrepealing SOGI123-a teachingresourceonsexualorientationandgenderidentity-whileadding parentalnotificationandopt-outrights.
INDIGENOUSRIGHTSANDRECONCILIATION
The conservatives intend torepealthe Declarationonthe Rights Of Indigenous Peoples Act(DRIPA).
Inhisvictoryspeech , Doerksonreachedoutto First Nationscommunitiesas partnersintheprovince’sdevelopment-thepartyhaspreviouslystatedthat removing DRIPAwouldensuregreatercertaintyforeconomicgrowthin B C.
DOERKSONPLEDGESTOREPEAL DRIPA ‘ AS SOONASWECAN ‘ P>
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