SUMMARY OF 2017 BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS - APRIL 2017 WHERE LEADERS MEET TO UNLOCK BC'S FULL POTENTIAL - Business Council of ...
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SUMMARY OF 2017 BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017 WHERE LEADERS MEET TO UNLOCK BC'S FULL POTENTIAL
This document is not a comprehensive listing of all commitments contained in
the three platforms. It covers the platform proposals and commitments that
Business Council policy staff judge to be most salient.
Full party platforms are available on each party's website at the following links:
• BC Liberal Party (https://www.bcliberals.com/platform/)
• BC New Democratic Party (https://www.bcndp.ca/platform)
• BC Green Party (http://www.bcgreens.ca/platform)
For commentary and analysis from the Business Council of BC on key aspects
of the parties' election commitments, follow our blog series which will look
at topics including fiscal policy, taxation, innovation, human capital and
transportation.
Click on this icon throughout this document to be taken directly
to relevant BCBC commentary, or visit www.BCBC.com.SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
TAXES, FEES AND FISCAL POLICY
FISCAL POLICY: BUDGET BALANCE AND RELATED
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Commits to 4 balanced budgets •Balance the budget in 2017/18 •Proposed new expenditures exceed
new revenue slightly in 2018/2019
•Protect the Prosperity Fund •A loose commitment to balance in
and 2019/2020
the following two years – “but not
•Eliminate the operating debt by 2021
at the expense of children, seniors, •Note “new” revenue includes existing
•Phase out BC Hydro’s payment to families…” budget contingencies and projected
government by 2022, starting in 2017 surpluses so small deficits in the
above noted years are likely
•Introduce a Fiscal Responsibility Act
requiring the budget to be balanced
Click for BCBC Commentary: on average over a government’s term
Fiscal Planning and the Economic Cycle in office
PROVINCIAL REVENUE: OVERVIEW
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Same revenue projections as •Outlines an additional $530 million •Outlines an additional $1.2 billion in
presented in Budget 2017 in total revenue in 2017/18 and an fiscal 2017/18, followed by $3.11 billion,
additional $1.15 billion and $1.39 $4.0 billion and $4.6 billion more
•No tax increases proposed in the
billion in the subsequent fiscal years revenue in the following three years
platform
•Approximately 60% of the additional •Approximately 70% of the new
•Previously announced tax reductions
revenue comes from tax increases revenue comes from tax increases
(the largest being MSP reductions)
(see below) (see below) while the remaining 30%
are maintained in the platform
is from the contingency allowance
•The other ~40% comes from
and existing fiscal room in Budget
reallocating existing money from the
2017 and “internal re-purposing”
Prosperity Fund and from additional
economic growth generated via new
public infrastructure and “cutting
waste”
BUSINESS TAXES
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Maintain carbon tax freeze until 2021 •Corporate income tax rises to 12%, •Corporate tax rate up to 12%, from 11%
while other provinces catch up from 11% •Increase the carbon tax by $10 per
•Cut the small business tax rate to 2% •Match federally mandated carbon year for 4 years (starting in 2018)
(announced in Budget 2017) price increases to 2022 •Eliminate “boutique tax credits”
•Eliminate PST on electricity for •Cut small business tax rate to 2% •Extend carbon tax to fugitive and
business (announced in Budget 2017) •Promise to freeze BC Hydro rates; vented emissions (starting at $10/ton)
•50% MSP premium reduction in 2018, presumably also applies to businesses •Apply carbon tax to slash pile
based on household income (many (although this is not specified) burning
employers pay employee premiums) •MSP premiums will be eliminated •Work with the federal government to
by end of the first term (benefitting streamline business and consumption
employers who pay these for their taxes over time
employees)
•Roll MSP premiums into payroll
and income taxes (this likely would
impose new costs on employers)
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 1SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
TAXES, FEES AND FISCAL POLICY (CONT'D)
PERSONAL TAXES
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•50% MSP premium reduction in •Increase taxes on individuals with •Establish a working group to develop
2018, for families and individuals with incomes over $150,000 proposals to overhaul the tax system
family net incomes up to $120,000 •Keep Budget 2017’s 50% reduction •Increase share of tax contributed
•Freeze personal income tax rates for in MSP premiums. Fully eliminate by those earning over $108,460 per
the next 4 years premiums within 4 years, and year (by 1% in 2017/18, rising to 3% in
establish a panel to advise how to 2020/21)
•Introduce a new tax credit for car
protect health care funding and
sharing services •Roll MSP premiums into payroll tax
provide needed revenues and personal income taxes
•Introduce an Active Seniors tax
credit •“Freeze BC Hydro rates” (likely for •Introduce a sliding scale for Property
1 year, but the platform does not Transfer Tax (PTT) from 0% to 12%
•Introduce Respite Tax Credit for specify)
people caring for seniors or family •Introduce a “Speculation PTT”
•When carbon taxes rise to match
with disabilities
federal mandate, rebates will be
•$3000 tax credit for volunteer provided to 80% of families Click for BCBC Commentary:
firefighters and search and rescue MSP Premiums Commitments & the
workers Potential for 55% Personal Income Tax Rates
REAL ESTATE / HOUSING
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•$700 million in the BC HOME •Institute an annual $400 renter’s •Expand the foreign buyers tax across
Partnership program for down- rebate the province and increase it to 30%
payment assistance •Introduce an annual 2% absentee •Tax capital gains in excess of
•Expand Home Renovation Tax Credit speculators’ tax $750,000 on principal residences for
eligibility for secondary suites homes owned for less than 5 years
•Establish a multi-agency task force to
•Raise threshold for the First Time fight tax fraud and money laundering •Make the home owner grant income
Home Buyers’ program exemption to in the BC real estate market based (no details provided)
$500,000 •Pass legislation requiring fair tenant •Introduce a “progressive property tax
•Double the Home Renovation Tax treatment during renovations and system” (noted above)
Credit to $20,000 demolitions of rental property
•Increase housing supply by working •Build more affordable rental, non-
with municipalities to speed up profit, co-op and other housing units
permitting over 10 years
FEES AND OTHER CHARGES AFFECTING INDIVIDUALS
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Cap bridge tolls at $500 annually •Eliminate all bridge tolls •Work with Metro Vancouver mayors
to introduce a “rational tolling system”
•Cap ICBC rate increase at 4.9% while •Stop a possible 42% increase in ICBC
an independent review is undertaken rates (not clear what rate increases •Design a basic income pilot to
would be allowed) determine if it is an effective way to
•BCUC will limit BC Hydro rate
reduce poverty
increases at 2.6% per year in the •Roll back ferry fares on small routes
medium term by 15%, freeze rates on major routes, •Require retailers to display tax
and restore seniors’ 100% weekday included prices
discount
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 2SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT
ROAD TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Introduce legislation to enable •On ride sharing, “… harness the •Spend $25 million annually to
ridesharing companies to operate in benefits of ride-sharing services to address frequency of service issues
BC build on the existing taxi system.” and ensure affordable fares in public
transit
•Legislate a tax credit for people who •Support the Mayors’ Council vision
use car sharing services for Metro Vancouver transportation •Invest an additional $152 million to
match federal contributions for public
•Match federal funding for new public •Develop a new Translink governance
transit infrastructure projects
transit projects model
•Examine tools such as mobility
•Increase funding to BC Transit and •Eliminate the existing referendum
Handy-Dart services requirement for new transit funding pricing to manage congestion in
urban areas
•Increase transit in Sea-to-Sky •Work with Translink and BC Transit to
•Suspend work on Massey tunnel
corridor and study possibility of improve HandyDART service
replacement pending a review of
commuter rail •Promote efforts to fix the E&N alternatives
•Complete the George Massey Bridge railway track for commuter rail use
•Complete 6-laning and build
interchanges between 216th and
264th
•Complete four-laning of Trans-
Canada from Kamloops to Alberta
AIR AND PORT
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Invest in local and regional airports •No significant commitments •No significant commitments
•Fund the development of the
business case for an inland Ashcroft
port terminal
FERRIES
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Provide a tax credit for ferry users; •Roll back ferry fares on secondary •Make BC Ferries a crown corporation
by 2020, establish a loyalty program routes by 15%, freeze rates on major again
for frequent users routes while a review is undertaken
•Re-introduce ferry service between •Restore seniors’ free travel on
Port Hardy and Bella Coola (2018 weekdays
tourist season) •“We will allow BC shipyards to bid
competitively on every new ferry
built”
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Early warning earthquake system for •Accelerate seismic upgrades to •Review current capital spending
schools and hospitals school buildings plans, including seismic upgrading
of schools, to determine if they align
with BC Green priorities
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 3SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT (CONT'D)
CAPITAL SPENDING: OVERALL
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Committed to increasing capital •Allocates an additional $1.4 billion •Additional capital spending of $50
spending by $1.7 billion beyond annually in new capital investments million this fiscal year, followed by
what was previously planned (over 3 for the next five years starting in 2018 increases of around $700 million in
years) in Budget 2017, in part to fully the subsequent 3 fiscal years
•Leverage federal contributions
leverage federal contributions •Commitment to review current
government’s capital plan
SECTOR SPECIFIC POLICIES
TECH SECTOR
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Provide an additional $87 million •Support the technology sector by •Invest $35 million over 4 years to
towards the BC Tech Strategy “improving tax credits…and restoring support talent development to
the Innovative Clean Energy Program” grow the “green economy”, plus
•Establish an Innovative Ideas Fund
another $120 million on research and
to encourage purchases of new •Invest $100 million to expand
the commercialization of “climate
technology products technology-related university and
friendly” technologies
college programs
•Change public sector procurement
•Establish an Innovation Commission
policies to support the use of •Increase local technology companies’
to support innovation and business
innovative BC technologies access to government IT contracts
development in the tech sector
and related procurement
•Create a Centre for Data-Driven
•Invest $50 million in new incubators
Innovation
and accelerators for small and mid-
•Reinvigorate Robson Square as sized tech firms
centre of innovation
WINE / BEVERAGE INDUSTRY
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Develop an international marketing •Establish a BC beer, wine and spirits •No significant commitments
strategy for BC wine, beer, cider advisory panel to work on increasing
domestic sales of BC products
•Support a new wine centre of
excellence in Penticton •Work to expand market access for BC
wine across Canada and abroad
•Maintain moratorium on the number
of private liquor store licenses
through 2022
TOURISM
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Work with First Nations to double •No significant commitments •No significant commitments
the number of Aboriginal tourism
businesses by 2021
•Work with YVR to increase the
number of international flights
and carriers - target of 25 million
passengers by 2020
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 4SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
SECTOR SPECIFIC POLICIES (CONT'D)
FILM / TELEVISION / CREATIVE SECTOR
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Expand the Interactive Digital Media •Expand BC’s film labour tax credit to •No significant commitments
Tax Credit to cover augmented include BC writers
and virtual reality commercial •Double investment in the BC Arts
applications Council over 4 years
•Invest in an Arts Infrastructure
Fund and leverage federal cultural
infrastructure dollars
•Increase investment in Creative BC
FORESTRY
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Provide $9 million for the Forest •Offer incentives to BC builders who •Enact a modern, evidence-based BC
Carbon Initiative use engineered wood products and Forest and Range Ecology Act
to companies starting innovative
•Commit $5 million annually to grow •Develop an Old-Growth Forest
wood manufacturing operations
markets in China and India through Inventory Act
Forest Innovation Investment •“…find fair and lasting solutions that •Place further restrictions on the
keep more logs in BC for processing”
•Promote more new tall-wood export of raw logs
building construction, including by •Remove the PST from machinery
pushing other jurisdictions to allow and equipment purchased by
them in their building codes sawmills and other value added wood
•Increase wood fibre utilization in the processors (note: this exemption
BC interior by 1 million cubic metres already exists)
•Increase the number of seedlings •Establish a Forest Opportunities
planted under the Forests for Panel to identify priorities for
Tomorrow Program innovation
AGRICULTURE / AQUACULTURE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Provide $5 million to the BC Tree •“…revitalize the land reserve and the •Enhance protection of farm land and
Fruit industry for a replanting Agricultural Land Commission…” increase proportion of ALR land in
program in the Okanagan Valley use for agricultural purposes
•“…help hospitals and care facilities
•Increase Grow Local and Buy Local increase their use of BC grown and •Allocate $30 million to strengthen
programs processed foods…” the long-term “viability of the
agriculture sector…” and increase
•Provide $500,000 for research •Bring back an enhanced Buy BC
the BC-produced share of food
into closed containment finfish marketing program
consumed in the province
aquaculture •Develop a BC Food Innovation Centre
•New Centre for Salmon Research in
Campbell River
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 5SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
SECTOR SPECIFIC POLICIES (CONT'D)
MINING
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Invest $18 million for mine permitting •“…continued support of the mining •No significant commitments
and oversight improvements flow-through share tax credit, the
mineral exploration tax credit and
•Target 8 new mines permitted, under
by removing the PST from electricity
construction or in operation by 2022
used in mining.” (all already in place)
•Ensure nine upgrades/expansions
•Establish a BC Mining Jobs Task
to operating mines are permitted by
Force to make jobs secure and mines
2020
viable as commodity prices fluctuate
•Expand role of the BC Geological
Survey and use GeoScience and
BCGS data to inform land use
planning and partnerships with First
Nations
MANUFACTURING
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Work to increase the number of BC •No significant commitments •No significant commitments
advanced manufacturers accessing
federal defense and security
procurement by 20% by 2020
HEALTH CARE
MSP
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•See above •See above •See above
ACCESSIBILITY AND CORE SERVICES
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•$2.7 billion towards new hospitals •Establish new Urgent Family Care •$100 million for expansion of support
Centres to improve access to health for inter-professional, integrated
•$225 million over 3 years to reduce
professionals and reduce emergency primary care to be provided by a
surgical wait times
room wait times variety of health professionals
•Increase the number of doctors
graduating from BC medical
programs to 400 a year by 2025
•Expand programs to fast-track
international physicians into clinical
practice in rural communities
•Train 500 additional nurses by 2022
•Work with provincial medical
credentialing colleges to expand Click for BCBC Commentary:
scope of practice of nurse MSP Premiums Commitments & the
practitioners in BC Potential for 55% Personal Income Tax Rates
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 6SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
HEALTH CARE (CONT'D)
SENIORS CARE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•$500 million to ensure seniors in •Strike an all-party Select Standing •$200 million to address staffing in
residential care facilities are provided Committee on Seniors to examine the public senior care facilities
with a minimum of 3.36 care hours/ topic and make recommendations
day
•Introduce an Active Seniors Tax
Credit to support and promote
seniors leading active and healthy
lifestyles
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•No significant commitments •Work with federal government to •Develop a proposal to implement an
develop a national pharmacare essential drugs program beginning in
program and support efforts to bulk 2019 to reduce costs of prescription
purchase medication drugs
MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTIONS
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Confirm $165 million for youth •Create a Ministry of Mental Health •$80 million to fund early intervention,
mental health needs and substance and Addictions youth mental health, supervised
abuse issues injection sites, and community
centres for rehabilitation
EDUCATION
K-12
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•$2 billion in capital spending over •$30 million/year to fund classrooms •Increase funding for public schools,
the next three years for K-12 schools supplies and school equipment beginning in 2017/2018 at $220
million and rising to $1.46 billion in
•Strive to secure another long-term •Comprehensive review of BC’s
2020/2021
contract with BCTF current K-12 funding formula
•Review the funding model for the
•$228 million to fund enrollment
K-12 public education system
growth
•Improve Aboriginal high school
completion rates, with a target of
over 55% by 2020
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 7SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
EDUCATION (CONT'D)
POST-SECONDARY
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Budget 2017 earmarked $2.6 •$50 million over 2 years to create a •Invest up to $20 million per year to
billion in capital spending by post- new graduate student scholarship support mentoring and networking
secondary institutions for new fund at post-secondary institutions to
buildings and infrastructure renewal promote entrepreneurship, leadership
•$100 million to expand technology-
over 3 years and business skills development
related post-secondary programs
•Create 1000 new seats in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM) in BC post-secondary
institutions by 2022
•Post-secondary tech-related degree
program co-op placements will
be doubled, and MITACs’ student
research program will be expanded
by two-thirds to over 800 internships
annually
STUDENT AID & AFFORDABILITY
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Maintain the current 2% cap on •Cap tuition fees at universities and •Offer tax forgiveness of up to
tuition and fee increases colleges $2,000/year for up to 5 years to
assist graduates in repaying debt
•Lower the interest rate on student •Eliminate interest on student loans
loans to the prime interest rate •Establish a new $1000 completion
grant for graduates of college,
university and skilled trades programs
SKILLS UPGRADING & ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Complete the redirection of $3 •Eliminate fees for Adult Basic •$10 million per year to ensure free
billion in training-related investments Education and ESL courses adult basic education
to focus on skills and direct more •$10 million per year for in-service
investments into programs for skills training for workers in small and
in-demand jobs by 2024 medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),
•Create a new Truck Logger Training and retraining for those displaced by
Credit to help offset the cost to train automation or changing markets
people on the job
•Make permanent the BC Training Tax
Credit
•Continue Canada-BC Jobs Grant to
provide up to $15,000 to offset the
cost of training new employees in
high demand occupations
•Continue to invest in the success
of the Single Parent Employment
Initiative with a goal of having 10,000
single parents apply for the program
and 5000 starting jobs
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 8SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
HOUSING
SUPPLY
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Work with post-secondary •Build 114,000 affordable rental, non- •Invest $750 million to support
institutions to develop new student profit, co-op and owner-purchase construction of approximately 4000
housing financing rules to allow housing units through partnerships, new units of affordable housing per
student housing to be built without over 10 years year
impacting the provincial debt load or •Change regulations to allow colleges •Protect existing social housing and
credit rating and universities to build affordable reduce operating costs by investing
on- and near-campus rental housing, $100 million/year in retrofits and
and ensure student renters receive renovations of older units
the renter’s rebate of $400 per year •Introduce incentives for construction
and/or conversion of existing
buildings for rental property
TAX INITIATIVES
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Double the Home Renovation Tax •Introduce a 2% absentee owner •Enhance progressive nature of
Credit to $20,000 to make home speculators’ tax property transfer tax (PTT) by
improvements to accommodate introducing a sliding scale from 0%
seniors or family members with on the first $200,000 for a property’s
disabilities value, to 12% on properties valued
over $3 million
•Extend Home Renovation Tax Credit
eligibility to those renovating their •Apply the PTT to the transfer of
home to accommodate a secondary beneficial ownership
suite •Introduce a speculation PTT to
•No mention of Property Transfer Tax discourage “flipping”
or further changes to foreign buyers’ •Expand the foreign buyers’ tax
tax to apply across the province, and
increase the rate to 30%
•Introduce measures to curtail lifetime
capital gains tax exemption in excess
of $750,000 on principal residences
•Introduce a progressive property
tax system that imposes a surtax
based on property value and allows
homeowners to credit rental income
and their previous year’s BC income
tax against the surtax
AFFORDABILITY & HOUSING AID
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Raise the threshold of the First Time •Provide a refundable renter’s rebate •Begin the transition from home
Home Buyers’ Program exemption to of $400 per rental household in BC owner grants (HOG) to a system of
$500,000 each year. income-based grants, starting in 2019
•Invest $700 million in the BC HOME
Partnership program to provide
mortgage down payment assistance
loans to more first-time home buyers
over the next 3 years
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 9SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
SOCIAL POLICY & COMMUNITIES
INCOME AID & SECURITY
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Develop a Low Income Families in •Raise all income assistance rates by •Transition to liveable incomes with an
Transition (LIFT) pilot program that $100/month increase in Persons with Disabilities,
provides temporary assistance to income assistance and shelter
low-income single working parents allowance rates
so they can take time away from
employment, or reduce hours,
without financial penalty; and assist
with training, childcare and transit
costs while upgrading or acquiring
new skills
CHILD CARE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Increase investment in childcare by •Bring in $10 a day childcare over •Raise early childhood education
$352 million time (up to 10 years); part-time care funding to $1.4 billion by 2020/2021
for $7 a day, with no fee for families
•Create 5,000 new child care spaces •Phase in funding for a comprehensive
with annual incomes below $40,000
in 2017, with a goal of up to 13,000 program for ECE. The program would
a year. The program will first focus on
spaces by 2020 be treated as a taxable benefit, so
children under the age of two, before that families with incomes over
•Invest $120 million/year for the Child gradually expanding to cover other $80,000 will pay tax on the benefit
Care Subsidy program pre-kindergarten children
•Provide free daycare for working
•Maintain the BC Early Childhood Tax
parents with children under 3
Benefit
•Up to 25 hours free early childhood
education per week for 3&4 year-olds
•Up to $500 per month for families
with children under 3 and a stay at
home parent
DISABILITY AID
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•$199 million to increase the •Raise all disability assistance rates by •Begin the transition to liveable
assistance rates for people with $100/month incomes with an increase in Persons
disabilities with Disabilities (PWD), income
assistance and shelter allowance rates
•Introduce a Respite Tax Credit of
up to $2,500 for people caring for
seniors or family members with
disabilities
LOW-INCOME BENEFITS
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Increase the net income threshold •Support social assistance recipients •Work with the federal government to
for low-income individuals to $19,749 as they re-enter the workforce by provide a low-income benefit of up to
to qualify for the BC Tax Reduction allowing them to keep an additional $205/month for low-income families
Credit $200 a month in earnings exemptions
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 10SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
SOCIAL POLICY & COMMUNITIES (CONT'D)
CHILDREN IN CARE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Invest $70 million to keep First •Implement the recommendations •Invest $100 million over 4 years to
Nation families together and better from Grand Chief Ed John’s report enhance child protection services
support children currently in care and provide better supports to keep •Introduce basic income support
Aboriginal children at home and out for youth aged 18-24 who are
of care transitioning out of foster care.
Estimated cost: $60m/year
RURAL ECONOMY
LIBERALS NDP
•The BC Rural Dividend will be extended, providing $25 M/year to assist rural •No significant commitments
communities with a population of 25,000 or less to reinvigorate and diversify
local economies
•Invest $40 million to provide 100% high-speed internet connectivity for all
GREEN
British Columbians before 2021 •No significant commitments
LABOUR AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS AND THE BC LABOUR CODE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Continue to secure long-lasting, fair, •No specific commitments. The word •No significant commitments
and affordable contracts with public- “labour” only appears once in the
sector employees when contracts platform document. No mention of
expire in 2019 Worksafe BC
•Maintain the current BC Labour Code
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Ensure elected officials are subject •Ensure employment standards are •No significant commitments
to WorkSafeBC healthy workplace enforced in a way that recognizes the
and anti-bullying regulations changing nature of the workplace
•Amend the Employment Standards •Make workplace safety a priority, and
Act to protect people fleeing violent enforce workplace safety rules
situations from losing their jobs •Provide incentives to public
•By legislation, require WorkSafeBC sector employers to hire and train
to develop a policy that requires apprentices
surplus funds be returned to
employers
MINIMUM WAGE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•No significant commitments •Phase in a $15/hour minimum wage •Establish an arm's-length fair wages
by 2021. Then index the minimum commission to recommend a new
wage to inflation minimum wage and oversee regular
rate reviews
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 11SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
IMMIGRATION AND TALENT
TALENT ACQUISITION & REGULATION
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Work with the federal government •Work with the federal government •No significant commitments
to increase the skilled tech talent to increase BC’s quota under the
immigrating to BC Provincial Nominee Program and
increase the province’s control over
•No mention of Provincial Nominee
the terms of qualification
Program or temporary foreign worker
program •Improve processes to assess and
recognize the credentials of foreign-
trained professionals
•Bring in a Temporary Foreign Worker
registry similar to Manitoba’s to
develop information to help protect
workers
•End the collection of illegal
recruitment fees from Temporary
Foreign Workers
ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE
REGULATORY STREAMLINING
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Maintain the net zero regulatory •Update environmental assessment •Review the environmental legislative
requirement: for any new regulation legislation, including by recognizing framework to ensure the regulatory
introduced, an existing one is the right to clean, safe drinking water, environment promotes the adoption
removed and also to require consideration of of green technologies and practices
cumulative effects in EA reviews
•Assess mining applications with
an improved, properly resourced
approvals process
COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•$9 million for Environmental •Establish an independent oversight •No significant commitments
Management Act compliance and unit for compliance/enforcement, and
enforcement provide it with adequate resources
LAND USE PLANNING
LIBERALS NDP
•No significant commitments •Modernize land-use planning to sustainably manage ecosystems, rivers, lakes,
watersheds, forests and old growth forests, while accounting for cumulative
effects. Take an evidence-based scientific approach and use the ecosystem-
GREEN based management of the Great Bear Rainforest as a model
•No significant commitments •Expand the role of the BC Geological Survey (BCGS) and use GeoScience
and BCGS data to inform land use planning initiatives in partnership with First
Nations
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 12SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE (CONT'D)
CLIMATE CHANGE
LIBERALS NDP
•Make sure the principles of •When the carbon price goes up, BC will match the federal mandate. Create
affordability, competitiveness, and a new climate action rebate to offset the costs for low and middle-income
revenue neutrality are confirmed families
and respected as BC implements the •Affirm BC’s legislated 2050 greenhouse gas emission reduction target and set
Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate a new legislated 2030 target of 40% below 2007 levels
Change
•Establish separate sector reduction goals and related plans for transportation
•Maintain the carbon tax freeze until (30% emissions reduction by 2030), industry (30% reduction by 2030), and
2021, while other Canadian provinces buildings and homes (50% reduction by 2030)
catch up to BC’s current $30/ton tax
•Maintain the Low-Income Climate
Action Tax Credit GREEN
•Ensure BC’s energy-intensive, •Amend the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act to reflect an interim target
trade-exposed industries are fully of a 40% reduction below 2007 levels by 2030
protected from any potential •Increase the carbon tax by $10 per year for 4 years beginning January 2018
increase in the carbon tax
•Extend the carbon tax to fugitive and vented emissions. The initial rate will be
•Affirm BC’s climate change target $10 per tonne rising to $50 per tonne by 2021
of reducing 2007 greenhouse gas
•Apply the fugitive rate for the carbon tax, $36 per tonne, to forest slash pile
emissions 80% by 2050
burning, starting January 1, 2020
•Work with the federal government
•Establish an emissions reduction target for carbon neutral government, and
to finance upstream oil and gas
allow public sector agencies to invest in internal emissions reductions, rather
electrification, reforestation, and
than requiring the purchase of external offsets to achieve carbon neutrality for
flood mitigation programs
government
•$40 million for the Clean Energy
•Promote choices with a lower carbon footprint, including a ZEV mandate,
Vehicle program
low emissions vehicle (LEV) subsidies, LEV infrastructure, congestion pricing,
•Invest in pedestrian and cycling distance-based insurance and transferable licence plates where the second
infrastructure upgrades vehicle is zero emissions
•Introduce Energy Performance Certification for residential properties that
verify the GHG footprint of the property, to enable home buyers to assess the
energy efficiency of a home
•Implement a forest carbon strategy to take full advantage of the opportunities
created by forest sinks
•Invest $29 million over 4 years to enhance the scientific understanding of the
effects of climate change in BC
•Facilitate modal switching, including by increasing investment and providing
more predictable funding for public transportation; keeping public transit fares
affordable; ensuring the frequency of public transit service meets passenger
needs; boosting investment in walking and biking infrastructure; facilitating ride
sharing, car sharing and other cooperative transportation initiatives; providing
more charging and safe storage facilities for electric bicycles; and ensuring road
configurations and commuter routes are friendly for pedestrians, cyclists and
motorcyclists
•Use government procurement to encourage the greening of businesses,
products and processes; allocate $20 million per year to support the adoption
of green technology
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 13SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE (CONT'D)
WILDLIFE AND SPECIES AT RISK
LIBERALS NDP
•$27 million to support an enhanced •Ban the grizzly bear trophy hunt
provincial caribou recovery program •Bring in a BC endangered species law and harmonize other laws so they are all
to ensure caribou maintain self- working towards the goal of protecting species
sustaining populations
•Work with the federal government, South Okanagan communities, and local
First Nations to create a plan to protect the large number of endangered
GREEN species in that area, as the federal government develops a new national park
•No significant commitments •Ensure dedicated funding for wildlife and habitat conservation
•Put all funds from hunting licenses and tags into a dedicated fund for wildlife
and habitat conservation
•Ensure the salmon farming industry does not endanger wild salmon by
implementing the recommendations of the Cohen Commission, keeping farm
sites out of important salmon migration routes, and supporting research and
transparent monitoring to minimize the risk of disease transfer from captive to
wild fish
ENERGY
RENEWABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•No significant commitments •Create a PowerBC program to •Work with neighbouring jurisdictions
consider renewable, modern energy to expedite the phase out of thermal
sources for future energy needs. electricity generation
Bring investment in wind, solar and •Support the construction of a
other clean energy projects back to transmission line to Alberta to allow
BC BC to export excess green power to
Alberta
BC HYDRO
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•BC Hydro’s 10-year rate plan •PowerBC will protect BC Hydro •Revisit the mandate of BC Hydro to
submitted to the BCUC caps rates at customers from skyrocketing bills, optimise clean energy development,
2.6% over the five years protect the environment, respect First including grid storage for community
Nations land title, and ensure BC has or privately generated power
•Phase out BC Hydro’s payment to
access to clean, affordable electricity
government by 2022, starting in 2017
•Revitalize BC Hydro programs to
•Restore the electricity intertie
promote energy efficiency and
between BC and Alberta by
“…launch new ones aimed at helping
partnering with the federal
homeowners and businesses
government
transform the places they live and
•Complete the new turbine work to make them healthier and
installation at the Revelstoke more comfortable, while reducing
Generating Station energy bills and climate pollution"
•Encourage the use of biomass as a
fuel for energy generation
•Complete the Site C dam
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 14SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
ENERGY (CONT'D)
LNG
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Work towards getting 3 LNG •Require LNG projects meet 4 •Green Party does not support
facilities moving to construction by conditions - projects must offer jobs developing an LNG industry in the
2020 and training for British Columbians, province
especially local people; provide a
•Promote electrification in the LNG
fair return for our resources; secure
sector to reduce greenhouse gas
full partnerships with local First
emissions
Nations; and complete a made-in-BC
environmental assessment
CLEAN FUELS
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Ensure BC natural gas expands as •Appoint a scientific panel to review •Introduce progressively more
a transportation fuel by working the practice of natural gas “fracking” stringent requirements to adopt
with industry to re-establish fueling to ensure that gas is produced safely low carbon fuels, including via fuel
stations for heavy truck and fleet use and the environment is protected switching (residential, commercial,
manufacturing), increased use
•Protect the ability of homeowners
of biofuels in transportation and
and businesses to use natural gas as
industrial applications and phasing
an energy source across the province
out diesel in urban delivery fleet with
a diesel moratorium in 2025
PIPELINES
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•No significant commitments •"...will use every tool in our toolbox to •Green Party does not support the
stop the Kinder Morgan project from Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion
going ahead." project
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•No significant commitments •PowerBC (see above) •Adoption of international energy
efficiency standards for machinery,
appliances, buildings, industrial
processes and fleet (mandatory), and
communities (i.e., design)
•Introduce maintenance requirements
for pipelines and enhance compliance
and enforcement
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 15SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
FIRST NATIONS
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
LIBERALS NDP
•Support First Nations’ involvement in the forest sector by tripling enrollment in •Mandate government training and
the First Nations Forestry Technical Training Program by 2019 apprenticeship programs to prioritize
training for First Nations
•Support partnerships between First Nations and industry proponents to
improve access to skills training and economic development opportunities
•Improve student outcomes for First Nation children to close gaps with non- GREEN
First Nation students •No significant commitments
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
LIBERALS NDP
•Help Indigenous businesses increase •Seek partnerships with First Nations in meeting renewable energy targets
their participation as suppliers and through the proposed PowerBC program
sub-contractors of major industrial •Work with First Nations to reduce conflict by ensuring decisions affecting land,
projects in communities across BC air and water respect the law and allow all British Columbians to benefit from
•Work with Destination BC to expand the sustainable development of natural resources
and promote Aboriginal tourism •Recognize and support the work of organizations working to increase First
opportunities Nations' participation in mining, forestry, technology, manufacturing, fishing
and energy
GREEN •Negotiate with First Nations leadership and communities about expanding
•No significant commitments opportunities for them to benefit from BC’s gaming industry
CHILD WELFARE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•Implement the recommendations •Implement the recommendations •No significant commitments
from Grand Chief Ed John’s report from Grand Chief Ed John’s report
and provide better supports to keep
•Increase the number of First Nation
Aboriginal children at home and out
staff in the Ministry of Children &
of care
Families
•Ensure Delegated Aboriginal
Agencies are supported to offer core
services at the same level offered to
non-Aboriginal children
RECONCILIATION AND CULTURE
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•No significant commitments •Develop, in consultation with First •No significant commitments
Nations, a curriculum for Indigenous
languages and for Indigenous history
•Provide support to Indigenous
communities seeking to revitalize
connections to their languages
•Provide reliable, dedicated funding
and support for Friendship Centres
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 16SUMMARY OF 2017
BC POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS APRIL 2017
FIRST NATIONS (CONT'D)
HOUSING
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•No significant commitments •Seek partnerships with First Nations •No significant commitments
as part of our commitment to build
114,000 quality housing units in the
next ten years
UNDRIP
LIBERALS NDP GREEN
•No significant commitments •Adopt the UN Declaration on the •No significant commitments
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
•Include in Ministers’ mandate letters
a requirement that they review
policies, programs and legislation to
determine how to bring the principles
of the Declaration to action in British
Columbia
Where Leaders Meet to Unlock BC’s Full Potential | www.bcbc.com 17You can also read
