VICTORIA - Some of the key elements of a deal between the NDP and Green party on a minority government in British Columbia are listed below.
- Scroll down or click here to read the full agreement
- The legislature would be recalled within one month of the swearing in of an NDP government.
- A referendum on proportional representation will take place in the fall of 2018, concurrent with the next municipal elections in the province.
- If it is approved, proportional representation would be used in the next provincial election.
- The parties agree to work together in good faith to consult British Columbians to determine the form of proportional representation that will be put to a referendum.
- The NDP and Greens will actively campaign in support of the system of proportional representation that is agreed on.
- Legislation would be introduced in the first sitting of the legislature to ban corporate and union donations and contributions from non-residents of British Columbia to the province's political parties, as well as placing limits on individual contributions and conduct a review of campaign finance and the Elections Act.
- The fixed election date would be moved from May to a date in the fall, starting in 2021.
- Implement an increase to the current $30-dollar per tonne carbon tax by $5 a tonne per year, beginning April 1, 2018, while giving rebate cheques to ensure a majority of taxpayers are better off financially than under the current carbon tax formula.
- Immediately refer the Site C hydroelectic dam construction project to the B.C. Utilities Commission to determine its economic viability.
- Employ every tool available to the new government to stop the expansion of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline, which has already received federal approval.
- Set up an arm's-length commission that will be tasked with “establishing a pathway” to a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour and overseeing regular rate reviews.
- Create an emerging economy task force to address the changing nature of business over the next 10 to 25 years.
- Establish an commission to support innovation and business development in the technology sector, and appoint a commissioner with a mandate to advocate on behalf of the province's technology sector in Ottawa and abroad.
- In its first budget, the NDP would develop a proposal to implement an essential drugs program, designed to reduce the costs of prescription drugs and ensure the cost of drugs is not a barrier to health management.
- Invest in home care to enable seniors and other people who need assistance to stay in their own homes.
- Appoint a minister of mental health and addictions to develop and implement a mental-health and addiction strategy and a youth mental-health strategy.
- Develop an immediate response to the fentanyl crisis based on successful programs that invest in treatment-on-demand, drug substitution, early-warning monitoring systems, and a co-ordinated response to overdoses.
- Implement an agreed upon approach to improving access and reducing the cost of post-secondary education for students.
- Invest in childcare and early childhood education to improve quality, expand spaces, increase affordability and ensure childcare is accessible for all families, with a focus on early childhood education.
- Eliminate medical service premiums.
- Make housing more affordable by taking action to deal with the speculation and fraud that the NDP and Greens say is driving up prices.
Read the full agreement below.
