From housing to transportation, BC NDP leader sits down with NEWS 1130

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Just weeks before the writ drops and the campaign officially begins ahead of this spring’s provincial election, BC NDP Leader John Horgan stopped by NEWS 1130 to tackle a few contentious local issues.

First off is transportation. Horgan isn’t so sure a 10-lane bridge is the solution for congestion in the Massey Tunnel. But he is stopping short of saying he would “put the brakes” on the project. “I’m not ruling out a bridge, but I want to make sure we’re doing the right thing with our tax dollars so that we can get the best bang for our transit and transportation buck.”

He feels the best solution for his party, should they win the election, is to work as a team. “My money is still on working with the mayors, working with the region to get the right plan for the people who live here, not something’s that’s all about politics, and that’s where Christy [Clark] starts and finishes every day.”

Horgan points out twinning the tunnel was an option the Campbell government had explored, and agrees it would be a more cost-effective way of dispersing traffic.

Keeping with transportation, Horgan feels the current BC Liberal government doesn’t really have a coherent plan when it comes to introducing ride-hailing services like Uber.

If it was such a good idea, he feels the ruling party would have done it years ago. That comment as just weeks ago the province promised to introduce Uber and similar services in BC by this Christmas.

He is calling for a more measured, consultative approach. “Why don’t we bring some people in? People that were elected to represent people in this community. Let’s have the riding public coming, the taxi industry, ride-sharing companies and let’s talk about this, in public, not behind closed doors.”

Horgan says the Liberals made the promise ahead of an election to make it about politics. “We need to make it about people. That’s what I intend to do.”

LISTEN: NEWS 1130’s John Ackermann speaks with BC NDP Leader John Horgan

 

Besides transit, many people in this region have struggled with the hot housing market, which is almost guaranteed to be a hot topic heading into the election. “One bedroom condominiums do not help a family of five,” says Horgan.

He explains not only does BC need to increase its supply of housing, but also to make sure the right kind of developments are being built, so working people can afford to live here.

“What we need to do is build rent-purpose housing. We need to make sure that we’re using our Crown land that’s owned by the province to bring on new opportunities in our suburban areas out to Coquitlam and Surrey and when we’re doing that we have to connect it all with transit and transportation.”

Horgan adds his first step would be to consult with local councils on what their needs are to help spur on the right kind of development.

Speaking of affordability, Horgan says he would use both transit and infrastructure to build the province’s economy.

A key part of the New Democrat strategy would be implementing the 10-year transit and transportation plan put forth by the Mayors’ Council. “That will create 43,000 construction jobs over the 10 years and having an aggressive public investment program is good for the private sector economy.”

Horgan says if the government is seen to be spending schools and hospitals, entrepreneurs and investors will be encouraged to put money into our economy as well. “No one wants to invest in a community that just closed their school. If you can’t take care of your kids, why would you go to that town? And so, we need to make sure we’re keeping pace with the growing economy.”

The provincial election is set for May 9th.

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