For months, B.C. was a model of non-partisan coronavirus co-operation, with Premier John Horgan yielding the microphone to Dr. Bonnie Henry, even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other premiers were on TV daily.

MLAs in the B.C. legislature did their grim duty quickly and unanimously in March, borrowing $5 billion and leaving it to the NDP minority government to disperse it as the provinceB次元官网网址檚 economic health rapidly declined. NDP health minister Adrian Dix frequently worked with B.C. Liberal critic Norm Letnick on the pandemic, as well as reform of medical professions and other public needs.

Then came the summer-long delay in tourism and small business relief, held back by Horgan until days before the election call. The delay means its modest assistance to the hardest-hit businesses would not arrive until 2021. That and the surprise timing of the election itself have been HorganB次元官网网址檚 biggest political problems as he tries to gain a majority in the pandemic.

B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson had been warning of a snap election since August. When it came, his response was an echo of the 2001 party under Gordon Campbell, which won a huge majority and cut personal income taxes 25 per cent. Wilkinson wants to jump-start business recovery and consumer spending with a one-year suspension of the provincial sales tax, and a reduced rate the next year that would put the province billions further in debt.

B次元官网网址淭his is like a wartime economy where a quarter of businesses might close in a year,B次元官网网址� Wilkinson said in the leadersB次元官网网址� TV debate Oct. 13.

RELATED:

RELATED:

RELATED:

Horgan responded to the sales tax cut with a promise to send out another round of payments of up to $1,000 to all but the highest-earning families and $500 to individuals, whether they have lost income or not. Horgan acknowledged later the promised cash payments were added to the platform late, as a direct response to WilkinsonB次元官网网址檚 PST cut proposal.

In debates and campaign stops, Horgan has emphasized DixB次元官网网址檚 work in upgrading the understaffed seniorsB次元官网网址� long-term care network. His frequent criticism of the B.C. Liberals refers to an NDP law that stopped B次元官网网址渃ontract flippingB次元官网网址� by care home owners to renegotiate union contracts, mostly with the Hospital EmployeesB次元官网网址� Union. Horgan regularly refers to 10,000 mainly female care aides B次元官网网址渇iredB次元官网网址� (and mostly rehired) under the B.C. Liberals. The pandemic has prompted the NDP to raise care aide wages to union levels and eliminate multi-site work, earning national praise for it.

B.C. Green Party leader Sonia FurstenauB次元官网网址檚 platform described the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to move toward a guaranteed income, and broader early childhood education and non-profit rental housing. Its small business recovery plan includes the same size fund as the NDP crisis grants, $300 million, put toward subsidizing business rents.

B.C. Liberal highlights:

B次元官网网址� In the first 60 days, eliminate PST for a year, start review of regulations and ban elections during states of emergency

B次元官网网址� implement province-wide framework for hybrid and online learning options and promote distance learning programs

B次元官网网址� Set up a pandemic response committee with all party participation, and an independent review of senior care homesB次元官网网址� response to COVID-19

B.C. NDP highlights:

B次元官网网址� The NDP platform promises to make its restaurant relief measures permanent, including beer, wine and liquor at wholesale prices, liquor delivery with takeout, and expanded patios

B次元官网网址� A second round of COVID-19 emergency payments, up to $1,000 per family or $500 per single person

B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淔ast-trackB次元官网网址� improvements to online and remote learning in B.C. schools

B.C. Greens highlights:

B次元官网网址� keep school district funding at current levels even as enrolment declines due to COVID-19

B次元官网网址� $24 million in new funding for school counsellors to support student mental health

B次元官网网址� $300 million to cover up to 25 per cent of rental costs for small business for six months

tfletcher@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .