Why I Voted for BC Conservatives

The BC Provincial election is happening now and ends on Oct 19. I voted for the BC Conservatives for the first time, and I did so with strong conviction. I really like their platform, especially after 7 years of BC NDP failures across the board.

The BC Conservatives are essentially a new centrist party, a mix of former Liberals, BC United, and Conservatives. They are not as well-funded or organized as the entrenched BC NDP, but they have strong grassroots support, with at least 45% of voters behind them. It will be a close election.

Check out their platform and vote today! https://tinyurl.com/eyrhyj8v

Where to vote: https://elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/where-to-vote/

Here are my brief notes on why I voted for them. I’ve got more details and sources if you want to discuss further—just reach out.

Drugs

Drug use is an epidemic in BC. I personally know people who’ve died. If you have kids, this should be your #1 issue. Under the NDP, 14,000 people have died—2.5 times the previous rate. That’s just the tip of the iceberg—225,000 people in BC use unregulated drugs. That’s 1 in 20! It’s a tragedy and a huge drain on society. Drugs are now the leading cause of death for schoolchildren! NDP’s "safe" drugs were diverted to schools, circulating as “safe dillies.” The NDP is captured by activists of failed policies of addicts enablement (aka "harm reduction") instead of recovery-centric programs. BC has led Canada to be #2 in the world for drug deaths. In the world! BC Conservatives will stop drug enablement programs in favour of recovery-program, re-opening Riverview mental institution and mandatory recovery for people who lost control or under-age with parent's consent.

Crime

"Catch-and-release" policies are wrecking our society. Criminals with 30-60 arrests are repeatedly let go. The guy who stole my car had 30 arrests, and the VPD let him go and told me, “he knows how to work the system.” Even when police recommend charges, judges often just release them. We need mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders. It’s time to shift the system back toward law and order. BC Conservatives want to push for that as well special faster-tracked court for smaller offences.

Economy

Total disaster. The NDP created the fewest private sector jobs in Canada and in BC’s history. Just 30,000 jobs in 5 years while the population grew by 586,000. Businesses are over-regulated and over-taxed ($6.5 billion in new taxes on the construction industry alone). 66% of businesses are considering leaving BC. I know some that did. The only thing keeping the economy afloat is a ballooned government sector, funded by massive debt. 5 in 6 new jobs are in government. Government payroll up 71% in 7 years. Without a strong private sector, there is no bright future in BC. Period. It is a shrinking pie problem. BC Conservatives are a lot more business-friendly, eg endorsed by the largest construction industry association in BC (ICBA). They will cut business taxes and regulations to spur the private sector growth.

Healthcare

The NDP has completely mismanaged healthcare. There have been 216 ER closures, and 900,000 people are without a family doctor. Cancer and ICU patients are being sent to private clinics in the U.S. A friend of mine, in early labor, was told to bring a passport in case she had to be moved to an ICU in the U.S. The NDP won’t refer patients to local private clinics, forcing people to go abroad for care, draining money from our local economy. It’s not just a lack of doctors—bureaucracy forces us to wait for referrals to get basic $20 vitamin tests. My knee MRI will take 6-12 months just for diagnosis, and then another 6-12 months for surgery. Private MRIs are available, but the NDP refuses to refer to them for same costs for ideological reasons. BC Conservatives have a healthcare plan that tackles these root issues and strengthens front-line staff— more of a European model.

Debt

The NDP turned a projected surplus into a $9 billion deficit this year. They’ve tripled government debt to $128 billion—$25,000 per person. Three credit downgrades under NDP. and we’re paying $4 billion annually in interest. In 2 years, it’s already budgeted to hit $173 billion or $35,000 per person. This is a staggering amount that no one would want on their credit card! Meanwhile, NDP increased government payroll by 71%. This is unsustainable, especially with a weak private sector growth. It could take a decade to recover if we try hard, but the NDP just keeps digging a deeper hole for us. BC Conservatives have an 8 year plan to reign in deficits, and it will require a lot of hard work to dig us out of this hole.

Housing

In 2023, fewer homes were built in metro Vancouver than in 2017, despite 350,000 more people living in the region. The NDP added $6.5 billion in new taxes on the construction industry. Their regulations are political theatre that always makes things worse. The economy doesn’t thrive on regulations and handouts. The largest BC construction association has strongly endorsed the Conservatives. The rental market is overregulated, with a dysfunctional RTB that allows abuse and discourages investment. Now, NDP is proposing government financing of 40% of mortgage for lucky few at an astronomical cost to taxpayers. Such handouts are sure to inflate unaffordable prices further. BC Conservatives will not do further damage to housing market like this! They will reduce taxes on construction industry & reduce regulations that get in the way. They will also reduce personal taxes making things more affordable.

Property Rights

The NDP imposed punitive taxes that hurt regular investors. They increased Airbnb minimum stays from 30+ (in Vancouver) to 90+ days, the strictest rule in the world, to favor the hotel industry. They actually cited BC Hotel Association report in announcements. They rezoned short-term rental properties, wiping out retirement savings for mom-and-pop investors. Vacancy taxes hit 50,000 cottage owners who did nothing wrong, forcing them to sell or pay $10,000-$20,000 a year. And they plan to double it. These intrusions haven’t helped the housing market—they’re just political theatre without regard to impact those affected. BC Conservatives will remove extra taxes on law-abiding Canadians and restore property rights like ability to use your cottage as you please.

Legal Rights

The NDP ICBC’s new "no fault" system is a scam. It provides exactly zero compensation for pain and suffering. Further, the NDP took away your legal right to sue an offender who crippled you. My mom was hit by a car crossing a street recently, spent a month in the hospital, and was in a wheelchair for months. She received zero compensation. If she had been crippled for life, it would’ve been the same! No one realizes this until they become a victim. In the U.S., private car insurance costs $860 CAD/year without this nonsense. BC Conservatives will first reform "no harm" to cover at least some victims and then proceed to open up market for private alternative options to ICBC.

Drug Dens

The NDP is trying to introduce 100% addict Gastown-style SROs (single-room occupancy for addicts) into regular communities, like 7th/Arbutus, even across from schools. These are free housing units with injection rooms on every floor, with no conditions or recovery programs. It’s a death sentence for the residents and ruins neighborhoods with crime. Their plan is to spread Gastown everywhere, prioritizing addicts over hard-working, low-income families. BC Conservatives will stop "barrier-free" drug den spread and will instead focus on drug-free supportive housing for recovering individuals and low income families in need.

Taxes

Under NDP 30+ taxes were added or hiked. Individual taxes have jumped from 14% to 20%. Businesses face numerous new taxes, but we have nothing to show for it except more government debt, failing healthcare, and infrastructure projects billions over budget. This was not happening under previous liberal government! It is not normal! These extra taxes are like throwing gas on a fire - they impact affordability of everything. And it’s not even progressive—there are no breaks for lower brackets. This uncontrolled government expansion, fueled by waste and mismanagement, is unsustainable, especially with a shrinking private sector. BC Conservatives will reverse a lot of taxes including Carbon Tax, various property taxes and will provide Rustad tax rebate for people paying rent or mortgage.

Zoning & Local Representation

The NDP’s central zoning rules have created chaos for city planners, who still have to work based on infrastructure and local plans. As usual, the NDP’s meddling has had no positive impact. Vancouver already had a massive rezoning with the Broadway Plan—enough for 5-10 years of construction. Cities capture rezoning land value spike to fund infrastructure, but the NDP’s free rezoning for land owners only shifts the tax burden elsewhere. There’s been no increase in construction. Approved projects are being canceled—even ones that met pre-sale targets. The issue isn’t permits which are planned years in advance for big projects; it’s land costs, construction capacity, and macroeconomics like jobs. Vancouver planning was doing just fine. Democracy works best with local representation, not top-down central mandates that lead to mediocrity. BC Conservatives will remove central zoning in favour of municipality decisions and local representation, as in proper democracy.

CleanBC

The EV and heat pump rebates are handouts for the wealthy from a government already deep in debt. These programs aren’t progressive. I didn’t need a rebate to install my heat pump, and they don’t boost our economy much since we don’t manufacture EVs here. The government should focus on investments that create local jobs, like making electricity cheaper—an approach the Conservatives support, which would naturally encourage eco-friendly choices. Instead of banning gas, they should make electricity a better option. But the NDP’s go-to solution is always bans and taxes—very authoritarian. BC Conservatives will remove unnecessary handouts to the wealthy and invest in energy infrastructure.

Wokeness

We’re drowning in wokeness—a mind virus replacing competence and common sense. No, there’s no systemic racism in our institutions. No, we don’t need to defund the police. No, kids don't learn more from a sexualized drag queen story-hour at public library than from a talk with role models like a doctor, engineer, architect. We don't need compelled speech either. BC Conservatives reject this ideological overreach.

Class Warfare and Divisiveness

Class warfare is the NDP’s favorite tactic. They vilify business owners and investors for political theatre, driving them out of BC. I personally know people who’ve left. Half the NDP campaign is based on smears and lies. Once they ruin the private sector tax base into the ground, they’ll target people's assets next. It’s inevitable. BC Conservatives reject divisiveness and celebrate entrepreneurs as the engine of our economy that they are.

Indigenous policy

Under the NDP, Indigenous life expectancy dropped by 6 years. They don’t need empty rhetoric about unceded territory, claims of racism or free drugs — they need jobs, economic development, and recovery programs. Giving unelected officials veto power over 95% of Crown land is also not the solution. BC Conservatives offer Economic Reconciliation through job creation and drug recovery options —exactly what’s needed for real change, not just slogans.

Encampments

More people are living on the streets, even though we have available shelter space. Many refuse shelter due to rules, mental health issues, or a preference for being outside. BC Conservatives will restore law and order by moving people to shelters, recovery centres, or mental institutions when needed. It’s just common sense.

Vaccines

The pandemic response started with good intentions but quickly became authoritarian. It’s still unclear whether Covid or the vaccines caused more harm. Experts were silenced as conspiracy theorists, and anyone with questions was vilified. Hero nurses who already had immunity were fired en masse. This created massive division. In the end, only 3.9% of Canadians followed the full vaccine schedule, leaving people disillusioned. The NDP’s heavy-handed approach will make it harder to manage future pandemics. They tend to be authoritarian on most issues—except when it comes to enabling hard drug use, where they’re far more lenient. Should another pandemic occur, BC Conservatives will not be muzzling experts or fire front line heroes.

Carbon Tax

The carbon tax had good intentions but is devastating for rural communities, farmers, and industries like construction. It costs the average family $1,200 and has driven up transport and food prices. It’s like cutting the branch you’re sitting on. We need a more nuanced approach that allows time for transition. China is leading in renewables without carbon tax on its productive industries. Only 40% of the BC carbon tax revenue was returned to people, even though they promised 100%. It’s become just another way to fund a government that’s grown beyond what the economy can sustain. BC Conservatives will cancel the carbon tax, greatly improving affordability for low-/mid-income families.

Accountability

There’s no government accountability right now. Billions in spending aren’t even itemized. NDP stopped open bidding on big projects we had before and the results are in - billions in overruns and projects years later. Site C Clean Energy Project $7.2 billion over and 4 years later, Cowichan Hospital $0.6bln over 3 years late, Massey Tunnel $1.5 billion and 10 years late, Surrey-Langley Skytrain is $2bln over before they even started digging. And we have a huge government debt. Under previous BC governments tons of massive projects were completed on time and on budget. NDP track record is not normal. Their waste won’t stop unless we demand better accountability for our money. Government never shrinks on its own. As a trivial example, why do we still have 190 BC Liquor stores—a semi-monopoly from the Prohibition era of 102 years ago? I can't think of any reason other than government inertia. One way to ensure accountability is to have competent managers in charge, not ideologues and to quickly replace leaders when they get us in trouble.

“Politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently, and for the same reasons.” -- Mark Twain

I’m not tied to any party and wouldn’t agree with any party on every issue, but in this election, the choice is clear to me. Reach out if you want me to explain why I believe the BC Conservatives are better on every issue I listed above. Don’t be swayed by NDP smears and lies.

It is time for a common sense change, indeed!