Election commentary

Tax cuts would come back to bite BC

Nov 7, 2024
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In the BC election, significant tax cuts were put on the table by both the BC Conservatives and BC NDP in their policy platforms. While they were framed as a way of easing pressures on the cost of living, tax cuts would do little to address the structural problems underlying those cost pressures. Now that… View Article
A convenient distraction: racism

A convenient distraction: Is racist messaging being used in BC’s provincial election?

Oct 11, 2024
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Ever since the economy started to slow down, the political discourse in BC has shifted dramatically. Immigrants and international students are blamed for the housing crisis and for driving down wages; people experiencing homelessness, addiction or mental health crises are blamed for making public spaces “unsafe” and engaging in crime; and basic steps towards meaningful reconciliation with First Nations are framed as threats to our economic prosperity. … View Article
More privatization is not the answer

More privatization is not the answer for BC health care

Sep 26, 2024
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Leading up to the 2024 election, the BC Conservatives are promising major health care reforms, in particular a greater role for private health care. More choice and competition, they claim, will “unleash the power of private-sector innovation” and reduce wait times. There’s good reason to be skeptical of such claims. . This post looks at how we pay for health care in BC and the perils of flirting with privatization…. View Article
Aerial photo of two cars in a minor accident

Creeping privatization is not the fix to auto insurance in BC

Oct 8, 2020
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As part of BC’s election campaign, the BC Liberal party pledged this week to move away from universal public auto insurance by opening up basic coverage to private insurance corporations. The claim made by party leader Andrew Wilkinson is that cheaper rates will follow from having private corporations sell insurance plans (using the old litigation-driven,… View Article

Tax cuts won’t cure what ails us

Oct 2, 2020
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Major tax cuts are on the table in BC’s election—namely, cuts to the provincial sales tax (PST) and speculation tax. But these proposals won’t help us meet the challenges the province faces. Whether the goal is economic stimulus, helping households in need or addressing long-term gaps in our social and physical infrastructure, tax cuts are… View Article

Federal election: What’s in it for BC?

Oct 17, 2019
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Let’s step back from the national big picture for a moment and take a look at some key issues that matter for BC. Many issues in our province need a response from the federal government whether due to jurisdiction or funding capacity. I point to where parties have so far made commitments, but in some… View Article