[LabComm] James calls for end to downloading and confrontation

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

-- Premier has failed BC municipalities, says NDP Leader --

KELOWNA - Premier Gordon Campbell has failed to live up to the promises he made to BC's municipalities to do things differently, and instead has embraced a provincial policy of downloading, conflict and confrontation, NDP Leader Carole James said today.

James made the remarks at the annual convention of the Union of BC Municipalities in Kelowna, calling for an end to some of the most onerous elements of the Campbell government's failed approach to communities.
"The Premier promised municipal governments a new way of doing things with his Community Charter," said James. "But communities have been waiting for three-and-a-half years and the Charter still isn't fully implemented. In addition, he brought in one of the most heavy-handed pieces of legislation this province has ever seen, legislation that tramples the rights of local government to make decisions in the best interests of its citizens.

"One of the first acts of an NDP government will be to repeal Bill 75, the Significant Projects Streamlining Act, restoring local decision-making to local government."

James again called on the Campbell to fulfill his promise to municipalities regarding traffic fine revenue. 

"Three-and-a-half years ago, the Premier promised to give municipalities 75 per cent of traffic fine revenue in order to fight crime. It's in black and white on page 31 of his election platform. Again, I call on Mr. Campbell to take the opportunity tomorrow to keep his promise on traffic fines. 

"Municipalities do not need more election promises. We all know how those have turned out. This government has cut provincial funding for community safety, and caused serious problems through downloading. Three-and-a-half years of stable funding from 75 percent of traffic fines could have made an enormous difference in the rate of crime our communities are grappling with today."

James committed to following through on the promise if the Premier did not. "A Carole James NDP government would follow through on the Premier's failed commitment. Under the NDP, communities suffering from rising crime rates will be able to use the resources from traffic fines available to fight crime and help keep neighbourhoods safe." 

James said British Columbians want an end to division and the politics of confrontation. "The Campbell government has divided British Columbia's communities, rural and urban, young and old, rich and poor," she said. "The NDP is working hard to develop a new flexible, pragmatic and inclusive vision of government that brings people together in a common project to build a better, more democratic and more prosperous province."

- 30 -

To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup.bc.ndp.ca/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://bcfed.net/pipermail/labcomm/attachments/20040923/7f556ec6/attachment.html>