Author Topic: BC provincial election  (Read 10987 times)

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Offline kimmy

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BC provincial election
« on: April 16, 2017, 04:14:30 am »
We're at it again. 

After last time, it would be foolish to write off Christie Clark's chances of winning. I live in a more conservative part of BC, and my feeling is that people are fairly satisfied with the provincial government here.  I think that BC is doing pretty well.  That mood might not be shared in the Lower Mainland, where most of the voters are.

My own primary concerns are issues that are actually a result of things going *too* well... things like skyrocketing cost of homes and rent.  BC is doing well economically, lots of people are moving here, and growth brings its own challenges.


Last time around, Christie campaigned on the promise that Liquified Natural Gas was going to create an energy windfall for the province. Nothing like that actually happened, and it turned out to not matter because the economy has done well regardless.

This time around, Clark's Liberals (who are actually the "right" here in BC) are casting themselves as the economy people, while John Horgan's NDP are casting themselves as the affordability people.  I think BC's "Conservative" party is some college kids doing this as an extra credit party or something. It's a pretty rec-league operation at this point.

The NDP "affordability" ideas seem to focus on costs that are in-your-face, like toll bridges and medical services premiums. I think these issues tend to have some traction with voters because the bill for them is in your face every month.  But the costs are there whether you see a bill or not. The NDP released a cost analysis of their promises this week.  They promise balanced budgets, based the idea that they will create billions of new revenue, combined with "eliminating waste".

Personally I think affordability sounds great.  I'd love to see my MSP premiums eliminated.  I think a lot of the ideas the NDP are presenting have some visceral appeal. But nothing is free.

 -k
Paris - London - New York - Kim City

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Offline wilber

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2017, 09:14:01 am »
I would like to see the Liberals get a time out or a minority to relearn a little humility. 16 years in power has made them arrogant and entitled. Clark herself has turned out to be a real political animal, who's actions while in government have turned out to be the exact opposite of the positions she used to take on Liberal party policies as a radio host.
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Offline kimmy

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2017, 11:37:17 am »
I kind of agree about the arrogance... I'm just not 100% sure about the alternative.

The NDP platform looks REALLY EXPENSIVE to my eyes.

The stuff Horgan is talking about on his TV commercials does strike an emotional chord with me.  I'm concerned about the things he talks about. Affordability. All the fees and tolls and premiums we pay.   I feel terrible for people who live in areas where they have to pay a toll every time they want to drive anywhere. The cost of housing in the populous areas of this province is completely through the roof, and I don't think the Liberals remotely give a crap. That concerns me.

Some of the ideas they're presenting seem good, but I am concerned about the overall tab and whether their projections are reasonable.  Of course, as Horgan goes about promising things that will make peoples' lives more affordable, Christie is now running around after him saying "me too!"  She is also now apparently very concerned about affordability, quite suddenly.

-k
Paris - London - New York - Kim City

Offline wilber

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2017, 05:29:17 pm »
Yes, he will need to explain how he is going to pay for it all. I'm waiting for the Greens to put out their platform. If it looks fiscally responsible, I think I'll give them a try.  Wish we had a good independent like Vicki Huntingdon running in my riding but even she is quitting for health reasons. She has endorsed another independent to succeed her though.
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Offline kimmy

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2017, 10:42:56 am »
I guess the good thing about the NDP platform is that it makes Christie pretend she cares about affordability once every 4 years.

With really just two viable options, that are almost polar opposites of each other, we really do kind of need some balance that's sorely lacking between the two parties.

 -k
Paris - London - New York - Kim City

Offline wilber

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2017, 07:34:50 pm »
I agree so what do you do, keep holding your nose and walking out of the poling place feeling you need a shower, or take a chance on something different for four years? I feel like I need a change from the former.

The thing that bothered me most about the Liberals winning last time was knowing they would  make sure we never found out what happened with BC Rail. That might be before you moved to BC but it stunk worse than a dead salmon sitting in the sun for a week and your dog which had just rolled in it.
« Last Edit: April 17, 2017, 07:36:44 pm by wilber »
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Offline ?Impact

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2017, 12:41:33 pm »
I would like to see the Liberals get a time out or a minority to relearn a little humility. 16 years in power has made them arrogant and entitled.

It was the same problem with the Ontario Liberals, they are certainly well past their best before date. The issue is credible alternatives.

Another reason I like proportional representation. Perhaps more people would support alternatives if they had any chance of getting some influence.

Offline wilber

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2017, 02:31:50 pm »
It was the same problem with the Ontario Liberals, they are certainly well past their best before date. The issue is credible alternatives.

Another reason I like proportional representation. Perhaps more people would support alternatives if they had any chance of getting some influence.

After year long deliberations by panel composed of citizens representing a cross section of British Columbians, they recommended a STV system. We had two referendums on going to it and both times, the bone heads turned it down. Now they are back to bitching about the same things that are wrong with FPP. We had our chance and screwed it up because those in power are quite happy with the status quo.
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Offline ?Impact

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2017, 03:10:46 pm »
After year long deliberations by panel composed of citizens representing a cross section of British Columbians, they recommended a STV system. We had two referendums on going to it and both times, the bone heads turned it down. Now they are back to bitching about the same things that are wrong with FPP. We had our chance and screwed it up because those in power are quite happy with the status quo.

I don't know about BC, but the panel set up by the Ontario Liberals was designed to fail. Perhaps the referendum should be about is the status quo acceptable, instead of suggesting an alternative and doing very little to really educate the broader public.

Offline wilber

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2017, 05:09:34 pm »
I don't know about BC, but the panel set up by the Ontario Liberals was designed to fail. Perhaps the referendum should be about is the status quo acceptable, instead of suggesting an alternative and doing very little to really educate the broader public.

The first time it almost passed. The second time there was a real campaign against it saying it was too complicated. I think a lot of people couldn't be bothered to figure out how it worked and just voted no.
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Offline BC_cheque

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2017, 06:17:40 pm »
I kind of agree about the arrogance... I'm just not 100% sure about the alternative.

The NDP platform looks REALLY EXPENSIVE to my eyes.

The stuff Horgan is talking about on his TV commercials does strike an emotional chord with me.  I'm concerned about the things he talks about. Affordability. All the fees and tolls and premiums we pay.   I feel terrible for people who live in areas where they have to pay a toll every time they want to drive anywhere. The cost of housing in the populous areas of this province is completely through the roof, and I don't think the Liberals remotely give a crap. That concerns me.


I'm trepid about Horgan too but I'm willing to give him a chance.  At least there is hope he'll work out whereas Christie Clark has ruined the province as far as I'm concerned.
 She waited way too long to act on the housing market and that alone merits a boot out the door. 

Horgan isn't making empty promises like 'a doctor for every family' but he's at least trying what could potentially end up being feasible solution to the shortage of doctors by coming up with urgent care centres.  I think that's one of the most brilliant things I've heard in a long time.  Somewhere to go in between doctor and hospitals for things like stitches and casts and ease up with wait lines in emergencies.

To me healthcare and housing are the two biggest issues and he seems to recognize that.  We moved to the outskirts years ago and I still have to travel an hour to go see my family doctor because nobody here is taking new patients and clinics all close by noon. 

As my family grew I find we've become even priced out of the burbs and I don't want to move but we may not have a choice.  We're not rich, but we both make above average wages, it's ridiculous that we have to be eyeing the Fraser Valley just to have a little extra room.

I hate Christie Clark with a passion.
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Offline BC_cheque

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2017, 03:09:13 pm »
After last night's debate, I really don't know what to do anymore.  I was under the impression that Horgan's stance on housing was different but after last night's debate I looked into it some more and I don't think it's enough.  I'm very disappointed.

The Liberals didn't act fast enough and the 15% tax imposed on anyone without residency is stupid and makes BC an unattractive place for companies, especially the tech sector.  The Greens want to double it and make it province-wide which would pretty much ensure no companies would ever come here.

The NDP wants to implement an annual 2% speculative tax for foreign buyers who don't live here but when the market is giving returns of 20%-30%, that 2% is not material enough to be a deterrent  Anyone you find to manage your funds for you would take that and you'd be lucky to get a return of 10%.

It should be a combination of both - say a 15% *annual* fee for people who don't live here, and exempt are the foreigners who are actually working and living in BC. 

What a **** show, I don't think any of these leaders are actually capable of addressing the biggest issue facing our province.  What a shame.
« Last Edit: April 27, 2017, 03:11:59 pm by BC_cheque »

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2017, 05:28:24 pm »
Yeah, I was disappointed too.  I am going to look more into Green platform as I've been essentially ignoring them, but I liked what Weaver said about education, the opioid crisis and health care.   Horgan sounded a little too vague on a couple things, although I also really liked his plan for urgent care to relieve pressures on emergency.   Currently sitting in emergency with friend who is dying, although probably not today.   He desperately needs palliative care but very hard to arrange and the hospital sends him home where he lives alone, only to have him returned by ambulance within a week.   This has been going on since January.  Whenever a politician goes on about lowering rates on corporate or personal taxes I think this is who is paying for that. 

Offline BC_cheque

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2017, 12:17:38 am »
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.  I know the terrible feeling of sitting in the hospital as a loved one dies, it's especially difficult if it's before their time.  They are lucky to have you beside them.

I think at the end of the day I will end up voting NDP but definitely not with the same enthusiasm I did before.  Housing is the biggest crisis facing this province in my opinion.  Nowhere is affordable anymore and it's going to be a huge economic problem within 5-10 years as younger generations leave. 

Having said that, there are other issues on the table and at this point I would vote for anyone who has the best chance of defeating Christie Clark and I think that party is the NDP.  The Greens are splitting the vote and the best thing the Liberals have going for them.  No wonder they took out a full page ad last election in the Vancouver Island newspaper promoting the Greens.   >:(

I am going to vote this weekend too before I get a chance to second guess myself.  At least I really like the NDP candidate in my riding. 

Offline kimmy

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Re: BC provincial election
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2017, 09:23:41 am »
I'm about 50% dropping these articles here for discussion, and 50% so I can read them later. I was just hearing about this on the radio.

"Advantage BC" is a private organization that gives out tax breaks, on behalf of the ministry of finance, to foreign companies ostensibly to invest in BC.  The membership in this club isn't available to the public, nor is information about who is receiving tax breaks.  This arrangement seems extraordinarily fishy.  This came to light due to a report from the New York Times, of all places.

There have been, apparently, $140 million of tax breaks given out, and the result is ... 300 jobs.


http://www.news1130.com/2017/05/03/liberal-leader-dismissing-latest-wild-west-article-new-york-times/

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-liberals-under-fire-for-mystery-program-that-gives-tax-breaks-to-wealthy-foreign-companies

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/world/canada/british-columbias-business-temptation-an-opaque-array-of-tax-breaks.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1

 -k
Paris - London - New York - Kim City