B.C. Liberal Cuts Risk Air Quality, Public Health

Jennifer Holmwood — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 15:28:52 -0800

VICTORIA— B.C. Liberal cuts to environmental monitoring and enforcement have reduced the government's capacity to monitor air quality, something that raises questions for Kamloops residents concerned about a proposed plant that would burn creosote-soaked railway ties, says New Democrat environment critic Rob Fleming . The plant has already received permit approvals from the Ministry.Rob Fleming

"It's been 18 months since formaldehyde levels almost 20 times the provincial limit were detected in the air near a popular playground and a neighbourhood daycare in Prince George, and residents still have no answers," said Fleming. "When this toxic chemical was detected no warnings were issued, and no follow-up tests were ordered."

According to the Ministry of Environment website: "An air quality advisory is issued when pollutant concentrations approach or exceed predetermined limits." However, the B.C. Liberal government made no effort to inform the residents of Prince George of dangerously high levels of formaldehyde, a carcinogenic substance, in parks and family neighbourhoods when they were first detected in the summer of 2008.

A ministry spokesperson told the media yesterday that no follow-up investigation was ordered because there wasn’t enough money to re-order tests. The B.C. Liberal government has cut the Ministry’s environmental monitoring and enforcement budget by 34 per cent since 2008.

"Formaldehyde is a potent carcinogen," said Fleming. "Yet the B.C. Liberal government did nothing in response to alarming levels of this toxic chemical detected in the air around a playground, a daycare and a children's science museum. Kamloops residents are watching revelations from Prince George and asking themselves if they trust the B.C. Liberal government to put air quality ahead of their agenda of cuts to the Environment Ministry."

The B.C. Liberal government announced they would do follow-up tests after New Democrats raised the issue in question period on Thursday, but Fleming says their credibility has been damaged.

“This is just one incident we know about. And it took 18 months and a media uproar for the B.C. Liberal government to take this threat to the health of children in Prince George seriously," said Fleming. “The B.C. Liberal government is playing politics with people’s health. An air quality advisory should have been issued when these results came back, and the government should have promptly double-checked the tests. What other test results are being hidden from communities?”

Fleming will be presenting at a public forum on the proposal to burn creosote-soaked railway ties in Kamloops this Sunday, March 7th at 2 pm at the Thompson Rivers University Alumni Theatre, Clock Tower Building.

Carole James and the New Democrats are advocating for positive environmental solutions, including restricting the use of toxic, non-essential pesticides.

B.C. Liberals Cut Services for Low-Income British Columbians

Jennifer Holmwood — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 14:23:03 -0800

VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberals’ chaotic cuts to health, wellness and preventative services for low-income British Columbians will hurt children and families and lead to higher costs for the province in the long run, the New Democrats said today. Shane Simpson

The B.C. Liberals quietly announced late Thursday that they will be cutting supports for things such as contraceptives, medication delivery devices, funeral services and shelter allowances for low-income individuals, children and families.

“These cuts are appalling,” said New Democrat housing and social development critic Shane Simpson . “While B.C. grapples with the highest child poverty rate in the country, rising homelessness, and a growing gap between the rich and poor, the B.C. Liberals are cutting services and programs for the most vulnerable.”

“Many of these cuts are in the area of preventative health and will only end up costing the health care system more in emergency visits and deteriorating health,” said New Democrat health critic Adrian Dix . “The B.C. Liberals own fiscal incompetence has again left low-income families paying the price.” Adrian Dix

Simpson said the cuts announced yesterday are compounded by the recent B.C. budget, which failed to address the growing social inequality seen under the B.C. Liberals.

“There was nothing in this year’s budget to address child poverty, the growing income gap, or lack of affordable housing,” said Simpson.

Simpson also pointed to cuts to social programs last fall in which the B.C. Liberals pulled funding for community mental health and addiction services and hit programs for children with fetal-alcohol damage and children who witness abuse.

Under the B.C. Liberals, B.C. still has the highest poverty rate in the country at more than half a million British Columbians, and ranks eighth out of 10 provinces for social condition according to the government’s own Progress Board.

Carole James and New Democrats will continue to hold the B.C. Liberals to account for their broken promises while proposing alternatives to build a strong, modern and sustainable economy for all British Columbians.

B.C. Liberal Cuts, Secrecy Could Be Putting Prince George Children in Danger

Jennifer Holmwood — Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:48:19 -0800

VICTORIA— Deep cuts to environmental monitoring have left families in Prince George wondering whether the air their children breathe is safe, says New Democrat environment critic Rob Fleming .Rob Fleming

“The B.C. Liberal government received test results from Fort George Park, a playground next to a daycare and a children’s museum, showing very high levels of formaldehyde in the air, but they did nothing to inform the people of Prince George,” said Fleming. “Worse, no follow-up tests were done in the subsequent 18 months, despite the fact that formaldehyde levels were almost 20 times the provincial maximum.”

Re-testing in Prince George would cost between $6,000 and $12,000, but local ministry officials say they don’t have the funds necessary to do them.

“If the government refuses to test the air quality, how can communities be assured that their air is safe?” said Fleming. “Families in Prince George have every right to ask Shirley Bond and Pat Bell what the impact is for their community of the B.C. Liberals’ deep cuts to environmental monitoring.”

The B.C. Liberals have cut funding for environmental monitoring by 34 per cent since 2008, leaving the environment ministry scrambling to perform even basic tests and potentially putting the health of communities at risk.

“The B.C. Liberal government is playing politics with people’s health,” said Fleming. “An air quality advisory should have been issued when these results came back, and the government should have promptly double-checked the tests. What else is the B.C. Liberal government hiding from communities?”

Fleming says the fact that the environment minister gutted almost every department in the ministry while boosting the minister’s personal office budget shows that the B.C. Liberal government has the wrong priorities.

“Year after year Minister Penner budgets more for photo-ops and less for protecting children and communities from environmental toxins,” said Fleming. “The B.C. Liberals can’t be trusted to put families first.”

Carole James and the New Democrats are advocating for positive environmental solutions, including a Green Fund which would see $150 million a year of carbon tax revenue directed towards climate change solutions and transit improvements in communities across the province.

B.C. Liberals Break Promises to Students, Slash Support Programs in 2010 Budget

Jennifer Holmwood — Thu, 4 Mar 2010 11:12:21 -0800

VICTORIA – Post-secondary students face a 28 per cent cut to student aid after the B.C. Liberals broke their election promises and axed funding in this week’s provincial budget, New Democrats said today. Dawn Black

“During the election, the B.C. Liberal government campaigned on the promise to protect funding for advanced education. Now they have backtracked, and are making deep cuts to student aid programs,” said New Democrat advanced education critic Dawn Black .

In this Tuesday’s budget, the Liberals slashed $31 million from Student Support Program Funding. Since the 2009 election, the government has cut funding for student aid 27.4 per cent.

“It’s not fair to students. They are being forced to pay for the B.C. Liberals’ election lie and the government’s lack of an economic plan,” said New Democrat advanced education deputy critic Michelle Mungall .Michelle Mungall

“B.C. post-secondary institutions are experiencing significant enrolment increases because people want to prepare for the future economy where 75 per cent of jobs will require post-secondary education. We should be making smart investments now in our human capital to remain competitive in the global market and strengthen our economy.”

The student unemployment rate is currently at its highest in history. In addition, the cost of a post-secondary education is rising quickly. With the fewest student grants in Canada, many B.C. students are finding themselves without the financial means to attend University or College or to complete their programs.

“We need to provide students with incentive to stay in B.C. and help fill the jobs of tomorrow. By taking away student aid programs, the B.C. Liberals are making it that much harder for a young person to receive an education,” said Black.

“The well-being of this province depends on a healthy, educated workforce. But it seems the B.C. Liberals are unable to make that connection, given this latest round of cutbacks to post-secondary funding,” said Mungall.

Carole James and New Democrats believe that, in order to help drive the ideas and jobs of tomorrow, we must eliminate of barriers to post-secondary education and invest in research and development.

B.C. Liberals Ignore Farmworkers, Fail to Act on Coroner’s Jury

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

VICTORIA – Despite numerous recommendations made from the B.C. Coroner’s office in response to the tragic deaths of B.C. farmworkers, the Liberal government refuses to implement changes to legislation that will protect the rights of vulnerable workers, New Democrat labour critic Raj Chouhan said today.Raj Chouhan

In the legislature on Thursday, Raj Chouhan, the founder of the Canadian Farmworkers Union, slammed the B.C. Liberals for failing to act on the recommendations put forward by the Coroner’s Jury in December 2009. These recommendations would ensure additional protection, including modes of transportation.

Among the 18 recommendations, 16 of which are directed towards the provincial government, there is a call for public inspection of the vehicles used to transport farm workers.

“This weekend marks the third anniversary of the roadside accident that resulted in the deaths of three female farmworkers: Amarjit Kaur Bal, Sarabjit Kaur Sidhu and Sukhwinder Kaur Punia. We should ensure that we take action to prevent tragedy such as this from occurring again,” said Chouhan.

“Three months have passed since these recommendations have been put on the table. We need to see real action from the B.C. Liberals now.”

Carole James and the Raj Chouhan will be attending the candlelight vigil on Sunday to mark the third anniversary of the tragic road-side accident. It will be at Abbotsford City Hall at 4:30 p.m.

B.C. Liberals Try To Sneak Through 29 Per Cent Hydro Rate Hike in Provincial Budget

Jennifer Holmwood — Wed, 3 Mar 2010 15:49:41 -0800

VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberals are trying to sneak through a 29 per cent electricity rate hike, demanding B.C. Hydro deliver an extra $254 million to government in the next year alone, New Democrat energy critic John Horgan said today. John Horgan

“The day after a provincial budget that offered nothing for the B.C. economy beyond a new, damaging consumer tax in the HST, B.C. Hydro is applying to charge you an extra nine per cent this year on your hydro bill, with more to come over the next two years,” said Horgan, noting that Hydro applied for the increase with the B.C. Utilities Commission today.
“The government is trying to claim the increase is to pay for infrastructure upgrades, but that is only part of the story. The fact is, the B.C. Liberals are sneaking in what amounts to a tax increase by demanding that B.C. Hydro pay the government an extra $254 million this year, and B.C. Hydro has no choice but to pass on that increased cost to ratepayers.”

The provincial government’s three year fiscal plan, laid out in yesterday’s budget, calls for B.C. Hydro to increase electricity rates by 9.11 per cent this year, 12.92 per cent in 2011, and 4.81 per cent in 2012, which, compounded, amounts to a 29 per cent hike.

“Hydro rates are spiraling out of control. This year’s budget proposed another 29 per cent in rate increases over the next three years, which comes on top of rate increases of seven per cent each year since 2008,” said Horgan. “To make matters worse, the B.C. Liberals’ Clean Energy Act could make it easier for private power producers to negotiate lucrative contracts that gouge B.C. Hydro. Ultimately, this buy-high, sell-low export policy could bankrupt our public utility.”

While the B.C. Liberals claim to be lowering taxes, British Columbians are feeling the effects of increased fees and tax shifts. In addition to hydro rate hikes, the HST will cost consumers an extra $1.9 billion each year and MSP premiums are going up again on the heels of an increase last month.

Horgan noted that even though the rate increases have not yet been approved by the BCUC, the revenue assumptions in the B.C. Liberals’ budget include the 29 per cent rate hike.

“It’s just the latest budget lie from the B.C. Liberals. They’re basing their budget on hydro rate hikes that haven’t even been approved yet,” said Horgan. “It’s time to scrap the B.C. Liberals’ energy plan and start again with ratepayers’ interests first.”

Carole James and New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.

B.C. Liberal Budget Fails Creative Sector

Jennifer Holmwood — Wed, 3 Mar 2010 15:27:16 -0800

VICTORIA – With their latest budget, the B.C. Liberals are breaking their election promises on arts and culture, and failing to recognise the importance of investing in a creative economy, New Democrat culture and arts critic Spencer Herbert said today.Spencer Herbert

“It’s clear that yesterday’s budget showed the B.C. Liberals place no value on creating jobs and opportunities in B.C.’s arts, culture and heritage industries,” said Herbert, the MLA for Vancouver-West End. “They failed to deliver a long-term strategy that would see an investment in cultural spending and strengthen a healthy creative economy.”

This year’s budget slashed the B.C. Arts Council’s Budget by more than 50 per cent from pre-election numbers and cut gaming grants for arts and culture by approximately 50 per cent. The cuts are compounded by an earlier round of cuts last year that saw strong pushback from the creative community.

“During the past two weeks British Columbians and visitors from all over the world experienced not just the Olympic Winter Games, but also the music, dance, theatre and visual arts events of the Cultural Olympiad,” said Herbert. “British Columbians were hoping the B.C. Liberals would recognize the substantial economic benefits and overwhelming public support for cultural events, but this budget sends a clear message that they still do not.”

Herbert says the government’s continued failure to recognize the economic benefits of the creative sector is most evident in their gross disregard for the recommendations of the bi-partisan Standing Committee on Finance, which recommended a reinstatement of cultural funding to 2008 levels. The Committee noted that for every dollar invested in the arts generates a return of $1.36.

“B.C.’s creative industry will play a paramount role in B.C.’s economic recovery. It’s a fundamental part of the equation to building a strong, vibrant and sustainable future, yet this government’s support for culture continues to fall to record low levels, leaving B.C. at the very back of the pack.”

Last November, Statistics Canada put a report that showed for 2006-07, B.C. had the second-lowest provincial per-capita funding for culture and ranked last in the country when spending by all levels of government on culture were accounted for.

“Yesterday, we had hoped to see a budget with smart investments to secure our recovery and create jobs,” said Herbert. “Instead, we got cuts to vital public services and a new tax.”

Since last March, Arts and City Councils across the province have condemned the B.C. Liberals dramatic cuts to funding arts, culture and heritage. Carole James and New Democrats will continue to hold the B.C. Liberals to account for their broken promises while proposing alternatives to build a strong, modern and sustainable economy for all British Columbians.

B.C. Liberals’ Abandonment of Forest Health Threatens Industry: New Democrats

Jennifer Holmwood — Wed, 3 Mar 2010 14:00:27 -0800

VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberals’ decision to cut nearly $200 million from the Ministry of Forests and Range is the latest broken election promise from a government that has abandoned the industry that built this province, say the New Democrats.

Tuesday’s provincial budget hammered the forest ministry, cutting funding by 23 per cent from what the B.C. Liberals promised in last year’s pre-election budget.

“Instead of making strategic investments to build for a future forest industry, the B.C. Liberals are slashing funding to the ministry at a critical time,” said New Democrat forest critic Norm Macdonald .Norm Macdonald

“Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost in the industry under the B.C. Liberals’ watch, and their response is further cuts. It’s a backward approach, and it’s hypocritical given the rhetoric of the budget speech.”

Macdonald says the lack of resources for forest health is most troubling.

“The mountain pine beetle and other pests have ravaged the land base, and the problem has been exacerbated by fires, disease and climate change, yet there is no relief in sight from the B.C. Liberals.

“The B.C. Liberals’ inaction over the past nine years has devastated the industry,” said Macdonald. “Their refusal to adequately look after forest health threatens forestry in the years to come.”Carole James

Silviculture contractors have estimated that there will be 170 million fewer seedlings planted, as well as less work done to maintain the current forest stock.

“Healthy forests are the key to a sustainable forest industry,” said Macdonald. “The people of British Columbia own the forests, but the B.C. Liberals refuse to make the necessary investments for the future.

“It’s short-sighted and offers no hope for the long-term future of forestry in this province.”

New Democrat Leader Carole James has put forward a five-point plan to renew and modernize the forest industry. The plan includes: developing a green forest plan, developing an innovative and diverse industry, community and worker stabilization funding, and a permanent commission on forestry and tenure reform.

Hundreds of Cyclists Join New Democrats to Protest HST

Jennifer Holmwood — Wed, 3 Mar 2010 13:26:01 -0800

VICTORIA – Hundreds of cyclists rode to the B.C. legislature today to deliver petitions and stand with New Democrats in opposing the Harmonized Sales Tax.

“Cycling is one of the healthiest and most environmentally friendly modes of transportation around, but the HST will increase the cost of bicycles, parts and services by seven per cent, making it more difficult to get people out of their cars,” said Lana Popham , New Democrat MLA for Saanich South. “This is on top of the B.C. Liberals’ 66 per-cent cut to bicycle infrastructure spending in the last two years.Lana Popham

“At the very time we should be encouraging more cycling - for health reasons and to take action on climate change - the B.C. Liberals are taking us in the exact opposite direction. The new tax will also be a big blow for many small businesses, including cycling shops, that provide jobs and investment in our communities.”

Popham was joined at the rally by Carole James and other New Democrat MLAs, who vowed to do everything they can in the legislature to stop the HST. Cyclists came from around the Capital region and Vancouver to join the rally in Victoria, while a simultaneous rally happened in Nanaimo.Carole James

“The overwhelming majority of British Columbians right across the province oppose the tax, and only seven B.C. Liberal MLAs would need to join the New Democrats in voting against HST legislation to stop it,” said Popham. “The B.C. Liberals tried to calm public anger by saying yesterday the revenue collected from the HST will go toward health services.

“It is an absurd, indefensible claim that shows how frantic the government is.”

Bicycles have been exempt from provincial sales tax in B.C. since 1981, an exemption which is slated to be scrapped on July 1 when the Liberals’ HST takes effect. The HST will also eliminate incentives for purchasing energy-efficient appliances and hybrid cars.

“British Columbians are right to feel betrayed and outraged after the B.C. Liberals went back on their election promise to not implement the HST,” said Popham. “When the HST vote happens, we will see which MLAs break that election promise and which support their constituents.”

Popham will present petitions in the legislature later today with signatures from thousands of people opposed to the HST on bicycles, parts and services.

Carole James and New Democrats are advocating for positive environmental solutions, including a Green Fund which would see $150 million a year of carbon tax revenue directed towards climate change solutions and transit improvements in communities across the province.

B.C. Liberal Budget Breaks Environmental Promises

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

VICTORIA—Yesterday’s budget is clear evidence that the B.C. Liberals have abandoned their environmental promises, say New Democrats.

“The latest B.C. Liberal budget cuts programs to create green jobs by retrofitting buildings to be more energy efficient and fails to provide a roadmap for fighting climate change and reducing energy consumption,” said New Democrat environment critic Rob Fleming . Rob Fleming

Funding for the Ministry of Environment has been cut by almost 40 per cent since the B.C. Liberals’ so-called ‘Green Budget’ in 2008. And while the government is claiming the budget restores LiveSmart, they have cut funding for the popular program to half what it was before the election.

“Since the so-called ‘green budget’ in 2008, most of the incentive programs for home energy efficiency and green consumer items have been slashed or eliminated,” said Fleming. “The B.C. Liberal government is failing to take actions to fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Fleming noted that, in 2008, B.C. was the only province in Canada to see increases in industrial greenhouse gas emissions.

Tax incentives for sustainable products like energy-efficient appliances, insulation, heat pumps, energy efficient vehicles, alternative energy sources, and bicycles will be eliminated when the B.C. Liberals bring in the Harmonized Sales Tax on July 1.

“The B.C. Liberals talk about transitioning to a low-carbon economy, but with their clumsy handling of the HST debacle, B.C. will now tax green products, services and renewables,” said Fleming. “Our parks system is already falling apart. Further cuts to environmental monitoring and enforcement will only make a bad situation worse.”

Fleming noted that ministry-wide cuts could force more park closures and undermine the ministry’s ability to provide core services like effective enforcement against polluters and poachers, protection programs for species at risk, and work related to adapting to climate change.

“While cutting almost every department in his ministry, Minister Penner managed to budget an increase for his own office. That’s not leadership, particularly when we’re facing program cuts and hard-working public servants are facing job losses,” said Fleming.

“This government’s backwards decision to tax environmentally friendly products doesn’t square with the B.C. Liberals’ rhetoric on climate change. The regressive actions contained in this budget speak louder than words.”