1. Do you support the development of the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Project? Yes or No.
A. (Did not provide an answer in the Yes or No format.)
2. Would you work hard to get your government to open the closed beds at Fischer Place, so our seniors who need care do not have to be sent to other communities and separated from their spouses and families? How would you further support seniors in your community?
A. The BC NDP will expand home support and community care for seniors and improve service levels in residential care facilities throughout BC. We will improve access to multi-disciplinary health clinics and rebuild basic surgery, obstetrics, diagnostics and critical care in targeted rural hospitals. If elected, I will work hard to ensure seniors in the Cariboo-Chilcotin have the care they need close to home, including additional beds at Fischer Place.
3. What would you do to tackle poverty in the Cariboo-Chilcotin?
A. The BC NDP will provide an additional $60 to $70 per child per month for families though a Family Bonus program, introduce a legislated Poverty Reduction Strategy, tie all income assistance rates and minimum wage to inflation, and reduce infant toddler childcare fees. We will invest in skills training and education, and improve forest health, sustainable mining and agriculture to create jobs. We will also revitalize the treaty process and support First Nations economic development.
4. How would you improve health care in this constituency and ensure the funding is available for your measures?
A. The BC NDP will improve access to multi-disciplinary health clinics and teams, invest in home support and community care and mental health services, develop a rural acute care initiative and work to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. These steps will help control costs and improve care to you and your family. By strengthening alternative levels of care, we will take the pressure off acute care ERs, save funds and reduce wait lists.
5. Would you vote in favour of increasing the Provincial Sales Tax or personal income tax?
A. Under the BC NDP there will be no HST-like surprises, 98% of British Columbians will see no change to their tax rate and there will be no increase to the small business rate. We will expand the carbon tax to include “venting” emissions from oil and gas operations; increase the corporate income tax rate by 1%; reinstate the Corporation capital tax on financial institutions and raise personal income tax for individual income above $150,000.