BC Political Discussion - BC Election 2017 May 9th

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by whatnext

It's funny that since the election campaign got underway Stingray2004 has been absent from the forum. Just sayin'.....

Yeah. I/we have been in the Maldives/South Africa for ~5 weeks and just got back on the weekend.

[Stingray2004]

Tonight, on the eve of the writ being dropped tomorrow, Bryan Breguet‏'s "TooCloseToCall" website predicts the potential 2017 election outcomes as of tonight.

Remember, these potential election outcomes are based on the cheap polling junk from Mainstreet Research (IVR) and today's Insights West poll (opt-in online panel):

[Bcasey25raptor]

Preferred result: NDP majority
Likely result: BC Liberal majority

Results I will accept as compromises
Liberal or NDP minority with Greens holding the balance of power.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by sunsetmountainland

The best party to lead British Columbia into the future is the provincial Liberals! They have already a great record to prove this. They have been a force with creating jobs in the province.

Huh.

An increase in commodity prices post-recession and the BC government’s 2011 Jobs Plan were supposed to breathe life into the more rural regions of our province, but this largely did not happen. Despite a brief boost in jobs and economic activity in the Cariboo and the Northeast, most BC regions have not yet recovered the jobs lost in the recession seven years ago.

[CanSpice]

The whole thing with dueling tolling strategies between the BC Liberals (cap bridge tolls at $500/year) and the BC NDP (eliminate them entirely) is getting beaten up by the mayors and transportation-minded people, but we all see how the public listen to them (*cough*referendum*cough*). Word is that Horgan's announcement that they'd eliminate tolls got the largest cheer from the audience in Surrey at his rally.

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

The whole thing with dueling tolling strategies between the BC Liberals (cap bridge tolls at $500/year) and the BC NDP (eliminate them entirely) is getting beaten up by the mayors and transportation-minded people, but we all see how the public listen to them (*cough*referendum*cough*). Word is that Horgan's announcement that they'd eliminate tolls got the largest cheer from the audience in Surrey at his rally.

NDP can't afford to lose any support from literally anywhere in BC including the interior, but Horgan openly went out and said the rest of BC would foot the cost, thats going to go over very badly in the interior where it will be seen as metro vancouver centric pandering.

[SFUVancouver]

Capping tolls and cancelling them outright are both terrible policy and excellent politics. It's infuriating that both parties have fitted themselves with this financial noose, with the only difference being the height from which they jumped.

As someone who is racking up bi-monthly round trips on the Coquihalla, and paying a whole lot in gas and carbon taxes, I'm sure appreciating the benefit of those tolls having been removed. But the Coq's a paid off highway and wholly different from the new Port Mann Bridge and its $80+ million dollar accelerating annual hemorrhage of money, not to mention the Golden Ears' significant annual shortfall, too.

Where's the business case for the George Massey Bridge and Pattulo Replacement with a capped or absent tolling regime? What I would support is a region-wide unlimited monthly tolling pass that gives one unlimited use of all current and future tolled bridges for a flat monthly fee, not unlike our various transit passes. Such an unlimited monthly pass already exists for the Port Mann Bridge but with it ranging from $155-$315 a month, I can see how many would balk at that, even though it's a decent daily savings.

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Capping tolls and cancelling them outright is both terrible policy and excellent politics. It's infuriating that both parties have fitted themselves with to this financial noose, with the only difference being the height from which they jumped.

As someone who is racking up bi-monthly round trips on the Coquihalla, and paying a whole lot in gas and carbon taxes, I'm sure appreciating the benefit of those tolls having been removed. But the Coq's a paid off highway and wholly different from the new Port Mann Bridge and its $80+ million dollar accelerating annual hemorrhage of money, not to mention the Golden Ears' significant annual shortfall, too.

Where's the business case for the George Massey Bridge and Pattulo Replacement with a capped or absent tolling regime? What I would support is a region-wide unlimited monthly tolling pass that gives one unlimited use of all current and future tolled bridges for a flat monthly fee, not unlike our various transit passes. Such an unlimited monthly pass already exists for the Port Mann Bridge but with it ranging from $155-$315 a month, I can see how many would balk at that, even though it's a decent daily savings.

Thats a good idea, I'd also support lowering the toll costs of the port man etc Bridges and implementing tolls on the other bridges in metro vancouver so all bridges are tolled, the money should all go to pay off any new bridges and their costs, offer a region wide prepaid toll card monthly for frequent travellers.

This isn't good politics however it's good policy, too bad both the BC NDP, BC Liberals, and the Public at large won't accept such a compromise.

I already gave the NDP hell when they announced the ending of the tolls in surrey, I saw it as very dumb policy from an urban development and climate change policy perspective.

[cornholio]

I don't support anyone who supports tolls. It is a unfair tax on the working class of the province. The tolls should all be scrapped. Infrastructure needs to be paid out of general revenue. Bravo NDP, one good policy. Now to also back off from attack against the Massey bridge project and they may very well have my vote.

[PeterAKer]

My 41st British Columbia General Election Prediction:
NDP: 45
LP: 40
GP: 2

[sunsetmountainland]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunsetmountainland View Post
The best party to lead British Columbia into the future is the provincial Liberals! They have already a great record to prove this. They have been a force with creating jobs in the province.
Huh.

Quote:
An increase in commodity prices post-recession and the BC government’s 2011 Jobs Plan were supposed to breathe life into the more rural regions of our province, but this largely did not happen. Despite a brief boost in jobs and economic activity in the Cariboo and the Northeast, most BC regions have not yet recovered the jobs lost in the recession seven years ago.

I think it is interesting to note that the Liberals are the front runners for the rural regions of British Columbia.So what is it that they know that you do not know? Perhaps the alternative is not as good?

One thing I notice is you attacked my post about the provincial Liberals without reasoning what was better? The reason is because there is not something better!

[sunsetmountainland]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

NDP can't afford to lose any support from literally anywhere in BC including the interior, but Horgan openly went out and said the rest of BC would foot the cost, thats going to go over very badly in the interior where it will be seen as metro vancouver centric pandering.

The clear reason for my above post!

[sunsetmountainland]

Originally Posted by cornholio

I don't support anyone who supports tolls. It is a unfair tax on the working class of the province. The tolls should all be scrapped. Infrastructure needs to be paid out of general revenue. Bravo NDP, one good policy. Now to also back off from attack against the Massey bridge project and they may very well have my vote.

Yeah and you live in a world of wanting urban sprawl! The tooth ferry is going to pay for the bill! No need for a toll! Perhaps the rural British Columbians can fit the bill for the lower mainland not wanting tolls!

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by sunsetmountainland

I think it is interesting to note that the Liberals are the front runners for the rural regions of British Columbia.So what is it that they know that you do not know? Perhaps the alternative is not as good?

One thing I notice is you attacked my post about the provincial Liberals without reasoning what was better? The reason is because there is not something better!

Lol, that's because the so called "Liberals"are staffed by many former Conservative staffers from Alberta's Redford/Prentice days and Stephen Harper's posse but the Liberals also position themselves in a conservative manner, subconsciously appealing to the more conservative parts of the province

The Liberals feel it's more important to have a balanced budget and toy around with 'old-school' resource driven economics and turn essentials like housing and public transit into bargaining chips to be utilized every 4 years and not give a hoot about in between.

They sat back and pretended like there was no problem with our housing situation until it was incredibly out of hand while reaping the benefits of selling out. There was also all the dicking around with the transit referendum boondoggle which was clearly to put off making any investments when they couldn't utilize it to their political benefit because there was no election at the time.

[sunsetmountainland]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

Lol, that's because the so called "Liberals"are staffed by many former Conservative staffers from Alberta's Redford/Prentice days and Stephen Harper's posse but the Liberals also position themselves in a conservative manner, subconsciously appealing to the more conservative parts of the province

The Liberals feel it's more important to have a balanced budget and toy around with 'old-school' resource driven economics and turn essentials like housing and public transit into bargaining chips to be utilized every 4 years and not give a hoot about in between.

They sat back and pretended like there was no problem with our housing situation until it was incredibly out of hand while reaping the benefits of selling out. There was also all the dicking around with the transit referendum boondoggle which was clearly to put off making any investments when they couldn't utilize it to their political benefit because there was no election at the time.

Now not to seem simple with you. It seems to me you agree with me! Again not a note of optimism to even say N.D.P.! You know that as far as the choices that we have the best choice is still the Liberal government! Also what is wrong with having a balanced budget?

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by sunsetmountainland

Now not to seem simple with you. It seems to me you agree with me! Again not a note of optimism to even say N.D.P.! You know that as far as the choices that we have the best choice is still the Liberal government! Also what is wrong with having a balanced budget?

*Sigh* no. #spindoctor

[Pinion]

Originally Posted by sunsetmountainland

I think it is interesting to note that the Liberals are the front runners for the rural regions of British Columbia.So what is it that they know that you do not know? Perhaps the alternative is not as good?

BC Liberals are conservatives, and rednecks always vote conservative.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Please do not feed the troll.

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by PeterAKer

My 41st British Columbia General Election Prediction:
NDP: 45
LP: 40
GP: 2

I doubt it, the rise in green fortunes will jeopardize the NDP's chances at winning.

Furthermore this would imply a record worst case showing for the Liberals since they are guaranteed 40 seats at the starting gates.

I doubt the Liberals will be that low and I doubt the NDP will win that much.

Liberal majority is still predicted

NDP: 40
Liberal: 44
Green: 3

Thats my prediction

[csbvan]

I'd like to see a minority government for a change. Get the Liberals out of power, like any decade plus long government they have overstayed their welcome, and replace them with an NDP minority propped up by the Greens. That would push the NDP a little more to the centre on economic issues.