The opposition New Democrats looked to jump the gun on the campaign trail yesterday, promising new investments to fight ongoing gang crime in the Lower Mainland.
With two weeks to go before the traditional start of the B.C. election campaign, NDP leader Carole James yesterday pledged to hire 168 new police officers to tackle gang violence.
"This is a number one priority," James told reporters in a news conference. "Police officers are stretched...We're going to make sure 168 officers get out there, get on the ground and assist in fighting crime."
The campaign vow, unaccompanied by dollar figures, mirrored a B.C. Liberal announcement in February, which also promised 168 officers and more money for Crown prosecutors. But those funds were largely a reallocation of previously promised federal money. James said the NDP pledge would be funded by new money.
However, B.C.'s solicitor-general says the NDP proposal copies what government announced two months ago.
"They haven't got a single original idea here," John van Dongen, the B.C. Liberal MLA for Abbotsford-Clayburn, said. "They've been criticizing our plan for months, and while they've been criticizing, we've been acting."
Although the NDP appears to be targeting crime as a key issue early on, one political scientist says the top issue for voters will be their wallets.
"The issue is the economy, no question about it," said University of Victoria professor Dennis Pilon. But Pilon isn't surprised the NDP is keying in on crime.
"There's a lot of voters who can't be mobilized to vote except on a hot-button issue like crime," he said. "But I think the strategy could backfire. Yes, they can draw attention to the crime issue, but I'm not sure they'll be the party that can reap the rewards."
The provincial election takes place on May 12.
Irwin Loy reports for 24 Hours Vancouver.
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Wilfred Laurier
3 years ago
Imagine!
Imagine the NDP running on a law and order platform! It is just like them running on an environment platform! Whoda thunk it! Oh, tried that and the unions put an end to it.
Rod Smelser
3 years ago
Crime or the Economy
I disagree with Prof Pilon that the recession and the economy are the only issue at this time, and that they will necessarily be the deciding issue. I don't doubt they are the most prominent issues at the moment. But, surely it would be hard to argue that crime isn't very much on the public's radar screen as well.
It's odd that Prof Pilon doesn't say which party is traditionally better placed in public opinion on these two issues. I believe it's the right wing parties, such as the BC Liberals, that traditionally win over additional voters in economic downturns and during periods of high anxiety about crime. So the NDP's job is cut out for them, they have to gain yards on two issues that are normally "not their's".
What I find interesting is that they are trying to do just that. The old NDP script of "ignore it and hope it goes away", and "emphasize the issues we're stong on", which was still in full force in last Fall's federal election in B.C., isn't being followed this time. The party is playing the hand it's dealt by the times, and not engaging in avoidance behaviour dressed up as some phoney strategy.
North of Hope
3 years ago
Unsustainable economy
I find it difficult to see how the BC Liberals could be thought of as better managers of the BC economy. They have been giving away our industry (BC Rail, BC Hydro) and our natural resources (wood, lumber, oil, gas) and they have not developed a sustainable economy that will serve the residents of BC in the future. It's time for them to go.
JStog
3 years ago
Law but No Order
Wow....hire new cops to fight crime.... while apposing a new remand centre. So when there's No place to jail the criminals .... the courts let them go .... The BC NDP's recycled Boobocracy does it again.
RickW
3 years ago
Wilfred Laurier
Imagine!!?? Isn't that a seminal song written by John Lennon?
All we are saying,
Is give Carole a Chance.......
Rod Smelser
3 years ago
Location was the issue
JStog
Wow....hire new cops to fight crime.... while apposing a new remand centre.
I guess we are talking BC provincial politics, where no comment is too simple. Still, most people realize it was the location that was the issue, not the need for a new remand centre.
Really, JStog, do you think people will believe that the NDP was opposed to a remand centre itself, not just its location?
JStog
3 years ago
Carol Jame Serious about?????
Rod Smelser
Location's an issue no matter where its proposed. Nimby here...Nimby there. Letting criminals run free because Carol James wants more votes is just lame. It should be criminal.
Is Carol James serious abour crime or just getting votes at the expense of public safety?
Remember Oakalla. Where was it again? Oh right Burnaby. The community survived and prospered around it.
Carole James continues to have problems getting her message across. She trails the sitting Premier on the two topics that are regarded as the most important issues facing the province at this time—the economy and public safety—and her approval numbers suggest a problem with the base.
http://billtieleman.blogspot.com/2009/03/angus-reid-strategies-bc-liberals-43.html
Frank
3 years ago
JStog
I see you're not only a fan of putting criminals next to schools but that you also have nothing to say regarding Campbell's cuts to courts, prosecutors and corrections.
Frank
3 years ago
From the Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090218.wbccrimewave0218/BNStory/politics/home