MLA says B.C.'s problems are home grown

Some local provincial election candidates are suggesting the challenges British Columbia faces today aren’t the fault of the current NDP government.

They argue the province's economic woes, social challenges and infrastructure shortfalls are due to external factors and that the current government just needs more time. But let’s be clear: the current state of our province is a direct result of the provincial government’s actions—or lack thereof. Giving them more time will only give us more of the same—just worse.

Allow me to explain.

Take the economy. The current government has overseen and directed a massive increase in government spending, all while taxpayers are struggling more than ever. Crown corporations, creatures of the provincial government have ballooned, adding more employees and bureaucratic layers, but where’s the payoff or return on investment?

British Columbians aren’t seeing better services—they’re seeing higher costs of living, inflation that is outpacing the rest of Canada, with stagnant incomes and a plummeting economy. This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet; this is about real families feeling the pinch.

Small businesses, the backbone of our economy, have been hit hard under the current government. Higher taxes, more regulations, and a lack of support during tough times have pushed many to the brink. Some haven’t survived. This approach is stifling the very businesses that keep our communities vibrant and our economy strong.

Then there’s housing. The NDP campaigned in 2017 and 2020 promising affordability, but what we have now is the opposite. By piling on regulations and taxes, they’ve choked housing supply and driven prices even higher. This was their plan for the first five years in office – to quell demand.

When that failed miserably, they brought in legislation to restrict home ownership rights, along with provincial zoning requirements. Their centralized, heavy-handed approach discourages private sector solutions, leaving a generation of British Columbians priced out of the housing market and renters struggling with skyrocketing costs.

These current policies have left us with the highest priced housing in Canada and the highest rents in North America – the worst in history.

On the environmental front, the provincial government’s restrictive regulations have stifled growth in key sectors like natural resources, where B.C. could be a global leader in sustainable practices. Instead, investment is fleeing the province, taking jobs and opportunities with it. Their opposition to common-sense projects like responsible resource development has not only hurt our economy but also made us more reliant on less sustainable energy sources.

And let’s not forget health care. The pandemic laid bare the weaknesses in our system, weaknesses that were worsened by the government’s mismanagement. Long wait times, a shortage of family doctors, and critical care resources stretched thin were problems before the pandemic—and they’ve only gotten worse. The government’s inefficient, high cost, high bureaucratic approach to health care has left us with a system struggling to meet the needs of British Columbians.

The record is clear: B.C. has an economy that’s less competitive, a housing market that’s less affordable, and public services that are failing us. It’s time to stop giving them a free pass. The challenges we face today aren’t just bad luck—they’re the result of choices made by the current government. Choices driven by an ideology that prioritizes government control over individual freedom and bureaucratic bloat over economic growth.

British Columbians deserve better. We need a government that will prioritize fiscal responsibility, support our small businesses, and create an environment where families can thrive. We need leadership that will work with the private sector, not against it, to solve our housing crisis. We need policies that empower our resource sector to grow responsibly, creating jobs and opportunities for all. And we need a health care system that puts patients first, not bureaucracy.

The path forward is clear, but it requires a change in direction. The NDP has had its chance, and they’ve failed. Now is the time for new leadership that will put the interests of British Columbians first.

So, I ask you:

Will you give the NDP more time in the upcoming provincial election? Why or why not?

I love hearing from you and read every email you send. Please write me at [email protected] or call my office at 250-712-3620.

Renee Merrifield is the BC United MLA for Kelowna-Mission.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.