WHISTLER (September 15, 2022) – As the affordability crisis worsens across B.C. with little effort from the Province to provide meaningful relief, the BC United Caucus hosted a roundtable during the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention to discuss the ways governments of all levels can work together to take effective action and address the skyrocketing cost of living.
“Every day we see more B.C. families struggle to make ends meet as the cost of necessities like housing, fuel and groceries continues to skyrocket,” said BC United Leader Kevin Falcon. “Despite all this NDP government’s promises, the affordability crisis is getting worse, not better. While the NDP hoard surpluses for their own political benefit, people are tired of waiting for meaningful relief and for this government to realize it is going to take more than rhetoric to bring this crisis to an end.”
The roundtable follows the Provincial Government’s 2022-23 First Quarterly Report, which showed that the NDP is sitting on a $706 million surplus and billions in other contingencies instead of making good on promises to fight inflation and deliver an annual $400 renters’ rebate. During the roundtable discussion, local government leaders shared accounts about the impacts of the affordability crisis in their communities, highlighting the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing as provincewide issues.
“Our roundtable discussion demonstrated that every part of B.C. is being impacted by the affordability crisis, and action is long overdue. It’s time for real solutions, not more empty words from our provincial government,” said Peter Milobar, BC United Critic for Finance. “The NDP must finally take seriously their promise to ‘make life more affordable’ and work with our municipal leaders to help deliver the affordability that British Columbians desperately need.”
