Well, at least David Eby didn’t blame Joe Biden for BC’s woes!
The NDP Leader repeatedly tried during the TV Leaders’ Debate to tie the BC Conservatives to the former BC Liberal government, defeated almost 10 years ago.
Every time he did it, it reminded me of Donald Trump, who two years into his mandate, still blames the former Democrat President for today’s US woes.
The Conservatives themselves haven’t won a BC election since 1926, so Eby focused on Liberals, under Gordon Campbell (who resigned in 2011) and Christy Clark (defeated in 2017). Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson was elected as a Liberal MLA in 2020 and crossed the floor to join the Conservatives in 2024.
“The history is clear. When they have uncosted promises, they cut like crazy. We’ve seen this before in British Columbia,” Eby said during the debate..
“Forget an Emergency Room that’s temporarily closed, They closed whole rural hospitals,” the NDP Leader stated..
“Mr. Doerkson and his team, unable to explain how they’re going to fund their $5 Billion in promises, will be coming for child care …
“The $5 Billion plan, the $5 Billion spent, without any explanation of where the money is going to come from, as well as the commitment to drive down the deficit … means only one thing: dramatic cuts. They do it every time: next door in Alberta, they’re exploring two-tier health care where you have to pay for health care … that’s what the Conservatives are doing,” Eby said.
“Talk about fear-mongering. The reality is you refuse to talk about your own record in this province, which is one of devastation,” Doerkson said.
In fact, both the Conservative Leader and Green Leader Emily Lowan criticized the NDP’s record during its 10 years in office … including the four years under Eby.
“It doesn’t matter what we talk about: whether it’s health, forestry, it’s not going to matter. Your mismanagement of this province has been devastating” Doerkson said.
“We are going to cut through red tape in this province and all of the bureaucracy that is holding us back so badly. The reality is we have to grow our economy in this province: it is absolutely fundamentally the case,” the Conservative Leader told viewers..
“We have to get back to some basics in this province.”
And Doerkson promised a Conservative government will repeal DRIPA.
“It has not helped British Columbia. It has created more division on the landscape than I have ever seen in my life. The reality is that we are more divided on this topic than ever before.
“There has to be a better path forward and that is through respect and relations and partnerships with First Nations and I’m absolutely committed to that,” he said.
The Greens leader repeatedly challenged Eby/NDP’s credibility.
“This year’s election bribes are next year’s broken promises,” Lowan warned voters.
“Two years ago, Mr. Eby, you stood on this stage and promised everyone would have access to a family doctor; 1.2 million individuals do not have access to a family doctor today. This is staggering.”
“You canceled seven long-term care homes this year… British Columbians are tired of being stuck on your merry-go-round of broken promises and service cuts,” the Greens Leader said.
“Seven thousand people are leaving the province because of the cost of living crisis. and it’s because we are this cycle of broken promises and election pledges that never come to fruition, Lowan added.
“We saw that with your $1,000 grocery rebate that never came “There was the $1,000 grocery rebate that never came,” she noted.
No knockout blows … but clear differences between the three leaders/parties for voters to make their choice.
Harv Oberfeld
(🇨🇦🇨🇦Don’t let up: check the labels. BUY CANADIAN!🇨🇦🇨🇦)
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