If elected, the BC NDP will freeze BC Hydro rates in an effort to make life in the province more affordable.
NDP leader John Horgan teased a few of the party’s main platform points at a campaign stop Monday in North Delta, including commitments to increase affordability, services and sustainable jobs.
“I believe the role of government is to make life easier for people, not harder,” Horgan said. “For the past 16 years, BC Liberals have been putting costs on people and reducing the services that they depend on.
“I think it’s time for a B.C. that helps everybody, not just those that are writing cheques for the governing party.”
Horgan pledged to make B.C. more affordable by freezing BC Hydro rates and eliminating tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges.
“BC Hydro rates have gone up 87 per cent since the BC Liberals came to power, 30 per cent since Christy Clark became premier, three and a half per cent last Saturday, on April 1st,” Horgan said.
“We’re going to make sure that we get Hydro back on track so that it’s working for British Columbians as it was originally intended to do.”
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(above) BC NDP leader John Horgan talks housing affordability and homeless following his announcement that, if elected, his party would freeze BC Hydro rates. Video credit: James Smith
Horgan didn’t offer much in the way of specifics or details, saying that would have to wait until the party unveils its official election platform on April 13.
He did hint at increased spending on health care and education, as well as investments in sustainable forestry, new hospitals, roads and public transit.
Horgan also reiterated his party’s intention to eliminate MSP premiums, introduce $10-a-day child care and roll back tax breaks for the top two per cent of the province.
Horgan dismissed the Liberals’ claims that eliminating the tolls would hamper the province’s ability to pay off the Port Mann Bridge project and result in a drop in B.C.’s credit score.
“Now that we’re into the final stages of her government, 28 days to go, she can’t rely on her legion of public servants to put ads out on her behalf. She’s out on her own and she should speak the truth. I don’t believe what she’s saying.”
BC NDP leader John Horgan answers reporters’ questions about the BC Liberals’ platform (above) and B.C.’s economy (below) after announcing that, if elected, his party would immediately freeze BC Hydro rates. Horgan made the announcement at a campaign stop in North Delta on April 10. Video credit: James Smith
