THE NDP said on Tuesday that BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon opposes investments that NDP Premier David Eby has made to help British Columbians facing global inflation and other challenges coming out of the pandemic.
Speaking on Global News on Tuesday morning, Falcon said he would use the province’s $5-billion surplus to pay down the debt instead of addressing the issues that people are facing coming out of the pandemic.
“Instead of using some of that to responsibly pay down debt or deal with other things, what did the NDP do with the surplus they had last year, a one-time surplus? They are trying to spend all of it,” Falcon said.
According to the NDP, some of the investments Falcon opposes include:
- BC Affordability Credits that provide $410 in support for a family with two children
- A $500 million Rental Protection Fund dedicated to protecting tenants and preserving affordable rental homes for decades
- A $440 million Cancer Action Plan to better detect, treat, prevent cancers
- $500 billion in support to BC ferries to ensure that fares remain affordable over the next four years
- $1 billion Growing Communities Fund to help local governments build community infrastructure in the face of unprecedented population growth
- A $30 million fund to help BC fairs, festivals and events cope with financial pressures coming out of COVID-19
The NDP said this focus reflects Falcon’s approach as Finance Minister, when he cut services and made average people pay more while maintaining tax breaks for those at the top.
NDP MLA Bob D’Eith said: “Unlike Kevin Falcon, who is still focused on helping the wealthiest and making everyone else pay for it, David Eby is taking real action to help British Columbia families. He’s looking for everyone, not just the people at the top.”
