BC Conservatives promise to end ICBC monopoly, build transportation infrastructure
Driving down the cost of car insurance is a priority, says BC Conservative Leader John Rustad, who is pledging to eliminate ICBC's monopoly.
“Introduce competition – the ability for competition with ICBC – to make sure there is fair and proper insurance for people here in British Columbia,” said Rustad on Thursday.
He says he'd keep the no-fault scheme for minor injuries – making up 85 percent of claims – but ditch it for serious, life-threatening ones.
B.C. NDP Leader David Eby said Thursday that Rustad's plan – which has been implemented in other provinces – would actually cost young drivers more.
“This is a direct threat to affordability," Eby said. "John Rustad knows it. The numbers are obvious. You can look at the other provinces and compare."
Transportation was a major theme for the BC Conservatives on Thursday. The party also rolled out a slew of promises including building a new bridge over Okanagan Lake, expanding Highway 1 to six lanes to Chilliwack, and expanding the Patullo Bridge to six lanes as soon as possible. Rustad also promised there would be no tolls for either bridges or roads and to fully fund TransLink for two years.
Other commitments include replacing the George Massey Tunnel faster than scheduled and extending the SkyTrain to Newton in Surrey.
For businesses in Surrey – B.C.’s fastest-growing city – that sounds good, but the devil's in the details.
“It’s great to see that these items that will impact Surrey and our business community regionally are part of this platform," said Jasroop Gosal, of the Surrey Board of Trade.
"However, until we see the finances, the budgets, the actual details, we still remain skeptical."
Rustad also unveiled plans to help struggling small businesses on Thursday, pledging to reduce red tape for small businesses by 25 per cent, creating a ministry of red tape reduction and reducing small business taxes from two per cent to one.
“Businesses across the province have identified the cost of business as not just an impediment to them thriving, but surviving,” said Jeff Bray, the head of the Business Improvement Areas of B.C.
“It’s a positive step. It's a recognition that small businesses are struggling under the cost of doing business.”
Rustad says his party will release its full platform soon, with school and child-care plans coming in the next couple of days.
The only televised leaders debate ahead of the B.C. election is happening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 8, 2024. You can watch live on CTV News or stream it on this website
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Canada will be absolutely fine': Justin Trudeau, his ministers and Pierre Poilievre congratulate Donald Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet congratulated Donald Trump Wednesday morning on his second United States presidential election win, amid questions about how the federal government intends to navigate a second term.
What Donald Trump's election victory could mean for Canada
Following president-elect Donald Trump's decisive election victory, there are sure to be significant knock-on effects for Canada. Here's a look at the different areas in which a second Trump presidency may affect Canadians.
Kamala Harris concedes: Here's what she said in her speech
Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris conceded the U.S. election to Republican Donald Trump Wednesday afternoon, telling her supporters that her 'heart is full.'
Canada orders wind up of TikTok's Canadian business, app access to continue
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok's Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Newfoundland hockey player suspended, banned from local arena after off-ice fight with fan
A combination of a thrown stick and thrown punches have given a senior hockey player in Newfoundland a three-game suspension and an indefinite ban from one of his league's six arenas.
Controversial Australian Olympic breakdancer 'Raygun' retires from competition
Australian breaker Rachael Gunn has told a Sydney radio station that she plans to retire from competition just three months after her unconventional routine at the Paris Olympics led to her being ridiculed and spawned conspiracy theories about how she qualified for the Games.
Sleepy during the day? You may be at higher risk for a pre-dementia syndrome, study finds
If you find yourself sleepy during your daily activities in your older age, you may need to consider it more than an inconvenience — since the fatigue may indicate you’re at higher risk for developing a condition that can lead to dementia, a new study has found.
Kamala Harris made a historic dash for the White House. Here's why she fell short.
"Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win," U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday in her concession speech.
Who won the popular vote? U.S. election vote totals from the past 40 years
Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency on Tuesday, and as of Wednesday morning, was also ahead in the popular vote. Historically, though, the candidate with the most votes hasn’t always won the contest.