ITALICS: last para
It has been a very long time since I have been excited about the prospects of a new government making the world a better place. I am allowing myself a bit of optimism with the New Democratic Party/Green Party coalition.
The big ticket items of stopping Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline and Site C dam, and dealing seriously with climate change, are front and centre. But the coalition should also mean positive things for Powell River.
Looking at the 10-page agreement signed by the NDP and Greens, what improvements can Powell River residents expect from this coalition?
They have promised to make life more affordable, which is welcome news to many in Powell River who struggle to makes ends meet. We will see a gradual increase in the minimum wage, increases in social assistance and assistance to the disabled (rates have not been raised for 10 years).
The elimination of Medical Services Plan fees will also make a big difference, as will the commitment to establish an essential drugs program. A specific poverty reduction plan promises to deal seriously with homelessness and income security and a commitment to address the enormous need for child care/early childhood learning will have an impact here as well.
There is potential in the coalition agreement for young people as well, including a commitment to support co-operative, apprenticeship and work-experience programs for high school and undergraduate students. That could mean fewer young people leave Powell River to find work.
The agreement also commits to changes in the forest industry to create more local jobs, a welcome respite from watching log booms go by on their way to China.
Of course, so far, these are just promises and promises are easy to make and, from past experience, easy to break. Electing progressive governments is actually the easy part. The hard part is putting their feet to the fire and ensuring promises are kept.
Lots of things are missing from the agreement that Powell River, including its city council, should be fighting for now that a government committed to change will be listening.
The promise of a 15 per cent reduction in ferry fares is clearly not enough to fix problems faced by coastal communities. Ultimately, BC Ferries should be part of BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, just like ferries serving the interior.
The agreement has good things to say about enforcing higher standards for public and private seniors’ residences, but there is no mention of reversing the privatization of food services. Hopefully MLA Nicholas Simons, who is already active on the issue, will bring this up with the NDP caucus.
Powell River is already on record opposing the Canada-European Union trade deal (CETA), which would prevent city council from favouring local businesses for procurement contracts. We should be lobbying the new government to protect local procurement from any CETA provisions.
Lastly, the Greens/NDP have promised a guaranteed annual income pilot project. Perhaps Simons, with support from city council, can propose that the pilot project be situated in Powell River.
Murray Dobbin is a Powell River freelance writer and social commentator.
