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New Feature: Hot Button Issues
Check out The Tyee’s fast, fair looks at the major election issues and where parties stand.
Updated regularly here.
A proven plan for a golden decade. It’s about time! Because everyone matters. Government for all the people. Four parties, four recyclable slogans.
But then elections are usually won and lost on intangibles. Trust, leadership, and sustainability are the buzzwords of the NDP, the BC Liberals, and the Greens. Then there’s Tom Morino and Democratic Reform BC. “Never heard of him, but he sounds good to me.” Pick one!
Too bad that actual public policy is such an afterthought.
Lately The Tyee has been looking at some of the policy issues underlying the election, in our Election Central feature Hot Buttons. We’ve tried to find the back door on some big issues, to get away from the usual party posturing.
On health care, for example, we’ve asked “What kind of privatization is acceptable?” After all, in government the NDP allowed the WCB to pay extra for quick treatment of its patients at private clinics, and the Liberals decried the practice. Most doctors’ offices and labs are private. And then there’s the entire pharmaceutical industry.
We’ve also asked what independent mechanisms the parties would employ to assess and protect standards. After all, if you read the NDP and Liberal platform claims on health care, you know somebody’s lying. Yet on independent mechanisms both the NDP and the Liberals seem to be saying only “Trust us.”
There are also many important issues that have barely been mentioned as the two primary contenders try to galvanize public opinion on health, education and the economy.
Under the radar
For example, the Liberals have made subtle but fundamental changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve, which may seriously undermine its ability to protect farmland. Near Abbotsford, the municipality of Kent is currently considering removing prime agricultural land from the reserve for housing. The Liberals and the Greens both argue that control should be in local hands. Others fear small municipal councils are vulnerable to the lure of new tax revenue and pressure from developers.
When we undertook this enterprise, we set out the issues, tried to ask a few tough questions, then asked all the parties to respond. Only the Green party and Democratic Reform BC chose to do so. Their responses are generally thoughtful and sometimes provocative.
The NDP and the Liberals were just “too busy” to reply. However, the major parties both have political histories that allow us to fill in the blanks. While they may not always like what we’ve said, they’ll have to console themselves with the knowledge that they’ve had plenty of other opportunities to fill empty spaces with political rhetoric.
We hope that you’ll find our Hot Buttons shine a little light into some of the ignored corners of this campaign. And we intend to post at least a dozen more in the next few days, so keep checking back with us, as the campaign rattles to its tumultuous conclusion on May 17.
Health Care Costs and Standards
Tyee contributing editor Charles Campbell is directing the Hot Buttons project with the aid of Jhenifer Pabillano and Andre Beaucage. ![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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Chris H
7 years ago
Comments on "New Feature: Hot Button Issues"
Big issues? You think Marijuana use is a big election issue right now? Whatever.
I can't believe that Education (both K-12 and post-secondary) didn't make your list yet. What are you guys smoking? Oh ya ... I get it now.
allan
7 years ago
The absence of education certainly is puzzling Chris.
You must cut a good story someplace to fit into most news slots, but to place BC Ferries or ICBC, among others ahead of schools etc...?
Nonetheless, thank you Charles for sneaking us in the backdoor and showing us where the politicals have stated they plan to take this province should they be in charge May 17.
Which reminds me of yet another issue, public trust in political promises.
Grumpy
7 years ago
I think RAV is a forgotten issue, but isn't it interesting that the Liberals extended the enviromental review until after the election.
RAV effects the entire region, as Campbell & crew have downloaded the costs of RAV onto the regional and provincial taxpayer, without debate. We are spending over $1 billion more for RAV than we should and where is that money going ~ that's right, friends of the provincial and federal Liberals! All the over-engineering and construction needed for subway construction.
The media have joined the RAV dog and pony show and nowhere, except the Georgia Straight and AM 600 is there any investigative reporting done.
RAV makes ADSCAM, back East, look like chicken feed and it's all legal. Maybe the Quebec Liberals could learn something from their brethern out West.
BrianWhite
7 years ago
The biggest "under the radar issue" to me is the changes in the mining rules. I heard that they expanded the materials list that could be mined. They have also done the mouseclick to claim thing. Perfect for insiders! No surprise that the biggest staking of claims in history was done on the day that mouseclick claims were brought in.
My Da, back in Ireland used sand from the side of a little hill for much of the concrete on his farm. He might not have been able to build a successful farm without it! Everything subsurface belongs to the crown and the government of BC is stealing it from beneath our feet and giving it to their friends. If you own a house or farm in BC, you really should look into it before the election and vote accordingly. If there is minerals below, you might not be there in 4 years time.
Only the green party seems to have noticed this scam.
This will affect poor people and poor towns most. When the open pit mine is mentioned, their property values are going to take a tumble. And then, when the mining company needs to buy them out to expand, it will be at the new lower market price.
You only have one chance to stop this. You gotta get a commitment from the ndp that they will not follow through with it and before may 17th too.
BrianWhite
7 years ago
My thanks to Doug Woodward for this little piece.
I didnt know that STV was used in the USA!
I suppose it is one reason to "vote no to BC STV and hope for better" (if you are that kind of guy).
"In Ohio cities between the wars, when PR-STV was introduced for municipal
government in cities which used at-large elections, it was noticeable that
many more ethnic minorities, including blacks, were elected under PR-STV.
The campaign which abolished PR-STV in Cincinnati in the 1950's, used the
slogan "Do you want a Negro mayor?""
Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario
905-682-4349
PS. I am prepared to take my chances in a fair multicultural world. I hope you are too. Please vote yes. Brian