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
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an 'innocent' couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other, Marie-Claude Bibeau, doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel's most wanted man.
Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.