NAME: Bob D’Eith
PARTY: BC NDP
ABOUT: D’Eith has lived in the community with his wife and five children for the past 18 years. He is an entertainment lawyer and professional musician, and for the past 3.5 years has been honoured to represent the community as the MLA. He calls himself a passionate advocate for education, mental health, arts and culture.
1. What are the biggest issues currently facing the District of Mission?
Mission is one of the fastest growing commuter municipalities in BC. We need adequate infrastructure to accommodate the nearly doubling of the population. People need a connection to health care professionals. We also have to increase capacity at our schools. There is a huge need for more affordable, quality child care in Mission. Finally, homelessness and housing are significant issues in Mission.
2. Why does your party have the best solutions on these issues, and what are the biggest gaps in your opponents’ platforms?
The BC Liberals do not have a platform, but from their announcements, they are continuing their ways by cutting taxes for the wealthy, making life less affordable and cutting important services for people. Their PST cut would result in cuts to services.
During my term as MLA, I secured the final four laning of Highway 7 from Ruskin on which will make commuting quicker and safer. I have been advocating for additional provincial funding for replacing the sewage pipe under the Fraser River.
We have launched a Primary Care Network in Mission which will bring significant, new resources and medical professionals into our community, connecting people to doctors and healthcare professionals.
I have been advocating for a new High School in Mission and was very pleased to see the re-opening of Stave Falls Elementary, one of over 200 schools closed under the BC Liberals.
Our path to universal childcare is well under way. We have invested $17.8M in childcare in my riding and have also helped our parents with $9.8M in reduced fees and benefits.
The district is close to starting construction on a new shelter and I am very excited about the new provincially funded seniors housing development that is being built right now. We have to work hard with non-profits, for-profits, the district, and all stakeholders to increase affordable rental supply in Mission.
3. What should government do to help people recover from the economic effects of COVID-19?
Keeping people safe and flattening the curve is essential to economic recovery. I am proud of the work that John Horgan, Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry have done to keep us safe. Now, BC is in a great position to recover economically.
By helping people succeed, we can build a recovery for everyone. The income-tested $1,000 benefit set out in the BCNDP platform is an important economic stimulus. People will spend this money in the community, stimulating the local economy.
On a provincial scale, John Horgan announced $1.5B in economic recovery protecting 200,000 jobs, providing significant tax breaks for businesses and funding a new tourism task force.
We’re putting people at the center of our recovery. Let’s keep going.
4. The provincial government provides vital services to thousands of vulnerable people. What personal experiences give you insight into how government services affect the lives of voters?
I have a brother who has suffered from a significant mental illness for over 30 years and another family member who has struggled with addictions. I know first-hand how difficult it was for a family to navigate a fragmented system. That is why I am so proud of our BCNDP government creating the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions that developed the Pathway to Hope implementing the four-pillar approach of Prevention, Treatment, Enforcement and Harm Reduction. We have done a great deal, but there is so much more to do.
