B.C. NDP expects to table more than two dozen new bills in spring legislature sitting
A refreshed housing plan and health care, public safety, environment and cost-of-living initiatives will be the focus of the British Columbia New Democrat government's political agenda over the coming months, says house leader Ravi Kahlon.
B.C. politicians return to the legislature Monday for the spring sitting, starting with a throne speech laying out the government's goals for the months ahead, followed by the tabling of the province's budget at the end of this month.
“You are going to see a focus on health care,” said Kahlon in an interview. “You are going to see a focus on public safety. There'll be, I think, a clear, important focus on cost of living and environment and balancing the environment and the economy.”
The government is planning to introduce more than two dozen pieces of legislation during the session, which is set to conclude in May, he said.
Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon said he's been travelling the province and wherever he goes people are expressing frustration with what he called the NDP government's lack of action on health and public safety.
“You know, whether it's health care, whether it's public safety, housing or affordability, there's a massive gap between what they promised and what their press releases say, and the outcomes people see,” said Falcon.
He said Premier David Eby's plan for his first 100 days in office amounted to “just making announcements.”
Eby, who replaced former premier John Horgan late last year, has introduced initiatives to bring more health-care workers to B.C., increase police officers in rural communities and pass housing legislation to speed up development and create more rental spaces.
“This session you'll also see a refreshed housing plan that will lay out key initiatives that we are going to be taking in the coming year and years ahead to address the housing crisis,” said Kahlon, who is minister of housing.
Green Leader Sonia Furstenau said the party will press the government to deliver programs and policies that help people.
“We are going to be bringing forward big ideas and action plans that are oriented to how do we deliver well-being,” she said.
Furstenau also said the Greens do not want to be caught off guard as they were in 2020 by the possibility of a snap election.
The Greens have already started to nominate candidates in advance of the scheduled fall 2024 vote to ensure they are ready to go whenever an election is called.
Horgan called an early election in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and won an NDP majority, after three years of minority rule.
Kahlon said the NDP has no plans for an early election.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.