[LabComm] Thanks for your support

[Carole James]

Thanks for your support



Dear Friend,

I am writing to thank you for your support in what has been a challenging, exciting, and very rewarding year.  As we approach the holidays, I feel stronger and more determined than ever.  

British Columbians from all walks of life and from every part of the province want the B.C. Liberals to start paying attention to the needs and aspirations of average British Columbians. And they are looking for new leadership on critical issues like growing homelessness and poverty, climate change and the environment, and renewing our public health care system for all British Columbians.

In 2006 the B.C Liberals ignored these issues. Instead of action, the year was marked by growing Liberal arrogance. The fall sitting of the Legislature was cancelled, critical promises were broken, and Gordon Campbell chose to ignore the growing social deficit that is tearing at the fabric of our communities.  When the public complained, the B.C. Liberals called the Legislature, "busy work".

That attitude was reflected time and again in the actions of government.  Whether it was the Income Assistance Minister denying the extent of child poverty, or the Olympics Minister shrugging off the findings of B.C.'s Acting Auditor General, or the Premier insisting that what we do to our environment in B.C. has little impact on the world, the B.C. Liberals spent most of year drifting further out-of touch with the problems facing B.C.  

Nowhere was this attitude more pronounced than in the Premier's cavalier approach to the expansion of for-profit medicine and patient fees in B.C.  

The Legislature gave the Premier the power to protect patients, and British Columbians overwhelmingly support universal access to quality health care.   But Gordon Campbell chose not to exercise that power, and has given for-profit providers the green light to expand their business.  Moreover, Mr. Campbell did little if anything to fulfill his promise to build more long-term and acute care beds.  As a result, patient care in B.C. is getting worse:  waitlists are growing, emergency rooms are overcrowded, senior couples are being forced to live apart, and many patients are paying big fees to access basic care.

The NDP Opposition stood up to Gordon Campbell on these issues and offered practical and concrete alternatives.

We put forward an affordable plan to build thousands of new social housing units.  We said it's time to put a stop to conventional coal powered electricity that is contributing to climate change.  We spoke up for patients suffering as a result of B.C. Liberal broken promises, and talked about ways to improve care like building more long-term and acute care beds.

Sadly, Gordon Campbell doesn't seem all that interested in listening to new ideas or to addressing these challenges.  There is no sense that the B.C. Liberals either care or feel much need to tackle the homelessness crisis, deal with climate change, or keep their health care promises.  

In 2007, though, the B.C. Liberals will face a determined and focused NDP Opposition with clear priorities and practical ideas on how to move B.C. in the right direction.  And we will continue to reach out to all British Columbians to talk about a better future.

I am looking forward 2007 and the hard work ahead.  Until then, I wish you and your family a peaceful holiday season and a happy new year.

<strong>Carole James<br />Leader, BC NDP Opposition</strong>

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