[LabComm] They just don't get it

Fri Dec 1 22:52:06 PST 2006

They just don't get it

Dear Friend,

It's been a week since we hammered the Campbell government with tough questions during a marathon three-day Legislative session. I finally feel like I've only now managed to catch my breath.

It was an important achievement. Campbell cancelled the fall session because he wanted to avoid tough questions from Carole James and the NDP team. 

Now he hoped to sneak in and out of a quick, one-day session. No questions, no accountability to the public.

<strong>But we didn't let him get away with it.</strong>

We held their feet to the fire for as long as the rules of the Legislature allowed. We kept up the pressure for three days, and on the final day, New Democrat MLAs stayed on their feet all night long, until 8:30 Tuesday morning.

Our efforts paid off - we forced the Campbell government to face a lot of issues they'd rather ignore - but a week later, <strong>I find myself more concerned than ever.</strong>

The problem is that Gordon Campbell and his government just don't get it.

They think accountability is a burden. They don't care about the problems you and your family are facing. They don't listen.

It's not enough to ask tough questions. We need to defeat this government. With the election just over two years away, that work needs to start now. I hope you can help by <a href="https://bcndp.ca/index.php?page_id=64&">clicking here</a> to make a donation.

British Columbia now has the highest rate of child poverty in Canada. 

One in four BC children lives in poverty.

We have the largest gap between high and low income earners.

Students in BC have the fastest growing debt load in Canada.

Our hospitals are dangerously overcrowded.

Seniors still don't have the 5000 long-term care beds they were promised 6 years ago.

Vulnerable children under government care have died while mismanagement is covered up.

Homelessness is skyrocketing, more than doubling in many communities.

The public still hasn't seen a business plan for the Olympics.

In spite of all this, Gordon Campbell seems to think that everything is just fine. In spite of our current economic good fortune, so many people, so many communities are being left behind.

There's no plan for the future, no investment in future prosperity. Just a handful of gimmicky stunts meant to fool you into thinking Gordon Campbell suddenly cares about ordinary people.

And today, Canada's first private emergency room is opening for business in BC. Gordon Campbell and his government have permitted credit card medicine to take root in our province.

Despite all their bluster and protest, this government had almost a year to take shut down plans for this American-style plan to give the wealthy faster access to health care. It is a shocking case of incompetence.

That's why we must defeat the Campbell government in the upcoming election. We can't afford another term of arrogance, indifference and preferential treatment for the lucky few.

I hope you'll take a moment to make a donation right now. All you need to do is <a href="https://bcndp.ca/index.php?page_id=64&">click here.</a>

Your support will help us build the capacity we need to run the best election campaign possible. We came so close in 2005, but next time we have to do better.

Don't forget that your contributions are tax receiptable. That means a $100 donation costs you just $25 after generous provincial tax credits. A $50 contribution will cost you just $12.50.

You can count on Carole James and the NDP team to keep holding Gordon Campbell accountable - Legislative session or not. But I hope we can count on you to help us defeat the Campbell government and begin building a future where everyone matters.

Sincerely,

<strong>Jenny Kwan</strong>

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