I have been fortunate to be able to talk and listen to many people from our region over the last several weeks at NDP nomination public forums. It is apparent that many individual concerns overlap with broader community issues. In each community forum, there was the underlying consensus that the HST is a bad tax and a bad idea. Opinions ranged from the way it was implemented, to the fact that it is a consumption tax that hurts the general public and more worrisome, families and seniors. In Oliver, there were also issues raised about the broadening gap between the rich and the poor, the importance of involving youth, and providing fair wages for workers.
In Cawston, crown land and environment concerns were highlighted. In addition, it was clear that a better approach to seasonal workers needs to be addressed, especially in small communities where viable partners are needed. Taxation was raised, as well as trade agreements such as CETA and its negative impact on our economy.
In Grand Forks, discussions evolved around the disabled, poverty, and engaging the youth. Frustration was voiced with current government practices, broken promises, and backroom deals. Labour relations and government interference with collective bargaining tactics were also aired, as well as concerns about Private Public Partnerships and its potentially negative impacts to services and the environment.
Regardless of which community I visited, there was a common theme; people are unhappy with current practices and decisions made at a Provincial level. The comments were heartfelt, the messages passionate, and emotions real. As one attendee so articulately stated, “We are a sustainable Province, using an unsustainable model of governance”. I couldn’t agree with him more. We can’t continue to allow the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. We can’t continue to ignore our doctor shortages and ER challenges that face our rural communities. We can’t continue to allow our natural resources to be extracted and be sent somewhere else for processing, while importing finished products at the expense of good jobs. And we can not continue to allow our government and legislature to be open for business for only 24 days in the past year when important issues need to be raised, addressed and decisions made.
I want to thank those community members who took the time to come out and listen, but more importantly, to be heard. Together, we can get this Province back on track and have real representation in the Boundary-Similkameen Constituency.
Marji Basso
NDP nominee, Boundary Similkameen