BC Political Discussion: Election 2020 and Beyond

[whatnext]

And just like that the provincial government hikes the hotel room tax from 3% to 5.5% to help cover FIFA costs. And then they'll wonder why so many housing units are being used for AirBnB

Vancouver hotel room tax hike to help fund 2026 FIFA World Cup

[GenWhy?]

Not exactly. The provincial is allowing cities to apply for a temporary increase:

"The City of Vancouver has asked the Province to temporarily raise the MRDT charged on purchases of accommodation within the city to help pay for the cost of planning, staging and hosting FIFA 2026 matches."

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022FIN0068-001626

[GenWhy?]

Now... why they requested this and where it's going is a GREAT question. Super odd to jack up hotel room prices even more.

[Sheba]

B.C. Liberals to vote on name change Nov. 13

B.C. Liberal loyalists will vote this month on whether to change their name to B.C. United or stick with the status quo.

The party’s 45,000 members can vote on the new name online from Nov. 13 to 15 with the results announced Nov. 16. That’s two days before premier-designate David Eby is set to be sworn in on Nov. 18.

...

[whatnext]

Eby and the NDP just can't help themselves. From pledging to put ICBC on a sound footing to making it freeze rates while losing millions. Just like their "let's wave a magic wand and cap rent increases with no consequences".


Province looks to freeze ICBC base rate for two years
The province has is asking the BCUC to freeze ICBC rates for two years.
By Charlie Carey
Posted Dec 12, 2022, 10:28AM PST.
Last Updated Dec 12, 2022, 1:23PM PST.

B.C. Premier David Eby says the government has filed an application with the B.C. Utilities Commission “for no increase to basic insurance rates” over the next couple of years.

If approved, Eby says the move will make “insurance affordable for British Columbians at a time when people are facing significant cost pressures.”

...Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says if the BCUC approves the freeze, drivers in the province will have some of the lowest insurance rates in the country.

“The government has directed that ICBC basic rate application cover two years instead of a standard one year, helping to provide predictability on these basic insurance rates to at least 2025,” Farnworth said.

The announcement comes as the public insurer is expected to record a loss of $290 million this year, with a total loss of more than $650 million in the last four months.

In support of ICBC’s basic insurance rate application, the government has provided direction to BCUC to ensure ICBC builds sufficient capital reserves, which paves the way for a two-year rate filing....

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2022/12/12/bc-freeze-icbc-rate/

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Eby and the NDP just can't help themselves. From pledging to put ICBC on a sound footing to making it freeze rates while losing millions. Just like their "let's wave a magic wand and cap rent increases with no consequences".

"It's unacceptable for government to treat ICBC like an ATM machine" - David Eby, 2017
"We're treating ICBC like an ATM machine" - David Eby, 2022

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

"It's unacceptable for government to treat ICBC like an ATM machine" - David Eby, 2017
"We're treating ICBC like an ATM machine" - David Eby, 2022

Yep, in a nutshell.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

"It's unacceptable for government to treat ICBC like an ATM machine" - David Eby, 2017
"We're treating ICBC like an ATM machine" - David Eby, 2022

I was thinking the exact same thing. The difference here though is that instead of having government revenue theoretically for healthcare/infrastructure spending/other programs we get a direct subsidy for car usage.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by chowhou

I was thinking the exact same thing. The difference here though is that instead of having government revenue theoretically for healthcare/infrastructure spending/other programs we get a direct subsidy for car usage.

It’s odd that the NDP cling to the notion that because Dave Barret created ICBC they must stay wedded to the idea of public auto insurance. Of course the BC Liberals, er BC United, are no better with their long-standing promise to privatize it but then backing off when they realized they could milk it as a cash cow.

[chowhou]

One viewpoint I heard yesterday which paints the NDP in a slightly better but equally cynical light was that ICBC is sitting on massive cash reserves carried over from COVID and they probably weren't going to raise rates anyway, but the NDP got there first to say "and you're not allowed either!" for the political win. If that's the case, it's not outright destructive, it's just image politics.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by chowhou

One viewpoint I heard yesterday which paints the NDP in a slightly better but equally cynical light was that ICBC is sitting on massive cash reserves carried over from COVID and they probably weren't going to raise rates anyway, but the NDP got there first to say "and you're not allowed either!" for the political win. If that's the case, it's not outright destructive, it's just image politics.

Politically speaking I would have waited to see what ICBC does.

No rate increase? "The BC NDP fixed ICBC".

Rate increase? "We are stepping in to freeze rates for British Columbians!"

[jollyburger]

I mean they can still milk the blame the Liberals for at least another five years.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I mean they can still milk the blame the Liberals for at least another five years.

Not with this move. Now the NDP has made themselves solely to blame for ICBC's future cash shortfalls. Stupid move on Eby's part.

[chowhou]

Not sure if this is exactly the right thread for this, but Eby + Sim + other politicians announced 90 modular units at 1500 Main and 2132 Ash today.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9347740/bc-pr...er-vancouver-mayor-housing-announcement/

The B.C. government is working with the City of Vancouver to build 90 units of housing to help clear out the ongoing encampments in Crab Park and East Hastings Street.
On Wednesday, Premier David Eby announced the two temporary bridge-to-housing projects will also be equipped with 24/7 supports.
The province says it is committed to coordinating service delivery in the Downtown Eastside, including working with local business associations, housing providers, the city and the federal government.

“We need to do more to help people off the street, into dignified shelters and then into stable housing where they can access health supports and rebuild their lives,” Eby said.
“These temporary modular homes will, and serve as a bridge to health supports and more permanent housing. This is just one part of our work to address homelessness and unsafe encampments.”

The modular homes will be located at 1500 Main St. and 2132 Ash St., with both buildings scheduled to open in March 2023.
They will be in place for at least three years.
The new homes will be offered to people currently living in shelters with a goal of creating more shelter spaces for people currently residing in unsafe encampments.
Both new housing projects are undergoing an accelerated development permit approval process through the City of Vancouver.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by chowhou

Not sure if this is exactly the right thread for this, but Eby + Sim + other politicians announced 90 modular units at 1500 Main and 2132 Ash today.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9347740/bc-pr...er-vancouver-mayor-housing-announcement/

"both buildings scheduled to open in March 2023"

Imagine if all projects with 90 units could be even started in 4 months let alone completed.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by djmk

"both buildings scheduled to open in March 2023"

Imagine if all projects with 90 units could be even started in 4 months let alone completed.

One of them is modular style trailers you'd see at work sites. Those can be up pretty quick. I'm not sure on the other one.

[whatnext]

The BC Conservatives now have a seat in the Legislature.

Ousted B.C. Liberal MLA John Rustad joins B.C. Conservatives
Rustad, who represents Nechako Lakes in Northern B.C., is the B.C. Conservative's sole elected MLA. That puts the party one seat away from gaining official party status...

https://theprovince.com/news/local-news/...wcm/ecd44f19-061a-439e-ab51-8cb844e73b4b

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by whatnext

The BC Conservatives now have a seat in the Legislature.

Ousted B.C. Liberal MLA John Rustad joins B.C. Conservatives
Rustad, who represents Nechako Lakes in Northern B.C., is the B.C. Conservative's sole elected MLA. That puts the party one seat away from gaining official party status...

https://theprovince.com/news/local-news/...wcm/ecd44f19-061a-439e-ab51-8cb844e73b4b

"Rustad has been critical of the province’s vaccine mandates, which he says have sidelined health workers during the health-care shortage. He tweeted on Monday: “7000 healthcare workers were fired or quit because of mandates and disrespect. Unlike the B.C. Liberals, I do not support continued mandates and I do support the truckers.”"

Sounds like Falcon is dumping dead weight.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

"Rustad has been critical of the province’s vaccine mandates, which he says have sidelined health workers during the health-care shortage. He tweeted on Monday: “7000 healthcare workers were fired or quit because of mandates and disrespect. Unlike the B.C. Liberals, I do not support continued mandates and I do support the truckers.”"

Sounds like Falcon is dumping dead weight.

Absolutely but he's in there until 2024.

[Sheba]

BC Budget 2023 is online.