Before we begin, this is not a summary of every party running in this election, just the three largest parties. There are far too many parties in BC, and not all have a candidate in each riding. I have summarized significant parts of each platform, though please refer to the platform link for details and full explanations. There is a lot to a party’s platform, and it cannot be sufficiently summarized in a short article. Don’t consume this article as your sole source of election information; it’s highly important that you do your own research and read through each party’s platform before casting your vote,
BC New Democrat Party
Leader: John Horgan
Platform: https://www.bcndp.ca/platform
Up for reelection after a coalition with the BC Green Party, the British Columbia New Democrats are focusing their campaign on responsible navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic and on the social and economic recovery that will follow. This includes providing free COVID-19 vaccines to all living in BC as they become available, expanding public health care to reduce wait times for various services, and better access to health practitioners and facilities across the province. They’re also pushing for a COVID-19 recovery benefit for British Columbians.
Aside from the pandemic, the BC NDP also promises “more personalized care,” meaning a health system that better meets an individual’s health needs, whatever that may mean. They’ve laid out a 10-year cancer care action plan that entails a commitment to caring for and serving cancer patients, improving the continuum of care, and expanding and funding more cancer research. In addition to providing supports to enable sufficient healthcare that serves all in the community, they are committed to continuing the campaign for a national pharmacare program (free prescription medication) and continuing their Fair Pharmacare program that is currently in place. Additionally, they have placed a focus on providing free contraception.
They’re also pushing for more affordable housing through their 10-year Homes for BC plan, which will cultivate more affordable homes for British Columbians of all ages. Further investment will provide guardians with universal $10-a-day child care, and will “creat[e] an economy where everyone can get ahead.” Mentioned in their platform are BC small & medium-sized businesses, though no particular plans or subsidies/programs are mentioned.
The NDP has always been focused on the environment and now promises a continued commitment to the environment through its CleanBC plan. This program, in a nutshell, includes widening the availability and affordability of electric vehicles, including e-bikes, as well as continued investment in BC’s natural heritage, such as protecting forests and enforcing rules among polluting for industrial projects.
Lastly, they have a focus on Indigenous sovereignty and continuing to advocate for BC’s Indigenous communities, as well as for the LGBTQ2s+ community.
BC Conservative Party
Leader: Trevor Bolin
Platform: https://www.bcconservative.ca/platform
The BC Conservative Party is committed to fiscal responsibility (accountability in responsible government spending, responsible spending by elected officials) and encouraging economic prosperity through economic growth and job creation through the private sector. They believe that provincial budget surpluses should be used towards paying debts owed and reducing taxes, which sets them apart from other parties. They aim to cut the Carbon Tax and work alongside not-for-profit organizations to help them distribute money.
The Conservatives’ approach to healthcare includes optimizing the delivery of care to ensure patient-focus, support of public healthcare (including long-term care homes) in BC, and support of sufficient palliative care for the province. They aim to allow operatives of palliative care who are in disagreement with medically assisted death be able to practice their beliefs. They also intend to promote a preventative health and wellness program for all British Columbians.
In terms of education, the BC Conservatives’ commitment to properly funding public schools and giving BC residents priority admission to provincial post-secondary are notable. Environmentally, they’re committed to reviewing subsidies for alternative energy production to assess negative environmental impact, as well as protecting hunting and fishing rights throughout the province. In terms of affordable housing, they’re committed to allocating up to 1% of crown land to the development of affordable housing in the province.
Other notables include the continuation of sufficient funding for municipal policing, supporting Canada’s Oil and Gas industries as they’re an important part of the province’s and nation’s economy, and abolishing ICBC’s monopoly on insurance. This step would open the mandatory auto-insurance market to competition. Finally, they will be working in collaboration with Aboriginal communities to address issues within BC.
BC Liberal Party
Leader: Andrew Wilkinson
Platform: https://www.bcliberals.com/comeback-plan/
The BC Liberals are using the slogan “Restore Confidence. Rebuild BC” with policies that aim to rebuild BC’s economy after the COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide economic recession. Fiscally, they’re committed to eliminating PST for a year to attract new investment within the province and re-setting it at 3%. They also plan to review all provincial taxes through appointing an independent Fair Tax Commission and eliminating the Small Business tax to stimulate self-sufficiency and economic prosperity. They’re committed to stimulating the economy by providing $8 billion in infrastructure improvements over the next three years to create jobs and meet the emerging needs of our growing population.
Like the NDP platform, they aim to provide subsidized $10 a day child care for the low-income and middle class. Similar to the Conservatives, they’re committed to supporting long-term care in the province and investing to make it more comfortable and affordable for seniors. They also want to end the ICBC monopoly to allow for competition. Additionally, they will work to offer reduced rates for new drivers as they demonstrate safe driving habits.
In terms of energy policy, they’re committed to supporting investments in renewable energy. They will implement a greenhouse gas strategy to reduce emissions while still supporting the Canadian Oil and Gas industry and Indigenous land use. When it comes to the carbon tax, they have laid out that they will review scheduled increases with the federal government in relation to the economic recession.
BC Green Party
Party Leader: Sonia Furstenau
Platform: https://www.bcgreens.ca/platform
The BC Greens are committed to moving past partisanship and approaching government with the goal of advancing policies that will help British Columbians. They want to deliver security and long-term sustainability with their promises. Many of their promises deal with the ongoing fallout of the COVID-19 crisis.
They are proposing aid for business and people struggling to pay rent, to help small businesses through the winter and to ensure affordable housing is readily available to British Columbians. They have an income security plan that will transition the province towards a basic income, as well as establish a permanent Fair Wages Commission to make sure our minimum wage remains livable.
Of course, at the heart of all BC Greens proposals and plans is a focus on sustainability and the environment. Their platform includes setting an interim target to reach Carbon Neutrality for 2025. They also promise to halt fracking and to end oil and gas subsidies. They also have plans to end old-growth forest logging in high-risk ecosystems and to prioritize the protection of wildlife and their habitats. Finally, their plan for climate resilience would, over 4 years, put $100 million into climate adaptation initiatives.
The BC Greens are also committed to taking actionable steps towards Indigenous reconciliation. These steps include advancing “cultural competency training for existing healthcare practitioners and support the training of new Indigenous doctors,” and a new approach to preserving and rebuilding the “province’s salmon fisheries and wild salmon populations in partnership with First Nations.”
Voting means having your voice heard, and it’s a right that you should be exercising. It matters.