BC Liberal Affordability Committee shouldn’t be believed, says MLA Darcy

NEW WESTMINSTER – The BC Liberal Caucus’ so-called “Affordability Committee” is meeting in New Westminster today, but according to New Democrat MLA for New Westminster Judy Darcy, the BC Liberals spent 16 years making life less affordable for people in every corner of the province, including in New Westminster, so no one believes that Andrew Wilkinson and his MLAs suddenly care now.

Darcy challenged the chair of the BC Liberal committee: “If Michelle Stilwell cares so much about affordability now, why didn’t she speak up when her government doubled the MSP tax for families and employers?”

“Instead of supporting measures that will actually increase affordability, Andrew Wilkinson and the BC Liberals have been fighting against our government’s housing plan and affordable child care plan,” said MLA Darcy. “They should be standing up for families, but we only see them standing up for multi-million dollar homeowners and big business.”

If the B.C. Liberals cared about affordability, why did they spend 16 long years making people pay more for everything?

The BC Liberal’s real record on affordability: 

  • HOUSING: Ignored the housing crisis for two years while the cost of an average home in Greater Vancouver shot up by over $600,000.
  • CHILD CARE: Ignored the child care crisis in B.C. for years as waitlists grew and fees went through the roof – becoming the second highest in Canada.
  • MSP: Doubled Medical Services Plan (MSP) Premiums, adding directly to the costs for individuals, families and employers.
  • TOLLS: Built two new toll bridges that would cost regular commuters $1,500 a year to use.
  • TUITION: Doubled university tuition, resulting in B.C. students graduating with the country’s highest levels of debt.
  • FERRIES: Doubled fares on small routes for ferry-dependent communities and increased them by 80% on the major routes.
  • And much more.

“Andrew Wilkinson and the BC Liberals are to blame for the current affordability crisis in B.C.,” said Darcy. “Our New Democrat government is working hard to make life more affordable for people.”