[LabComm] James says Throne Speech must address key priorities for average families

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

James says Throne Speech must address key priorities for average families

Leadership needed on childcare, Olympic cost overruns, forest crisis, says NDP Leader

Victoria -- British Columbians will be looking to the government to show leadership on childcare, mounting Olympic cost overruns, and the continuing crisis in BC forests in tomorrow's Speech from the Throne, NDP Leader Carole James said today.

James said that owing to the new Conservative government's decision to cancel the childcare agreement signed with the provinces, Gordon Campbell must signal his intention to reverse four year's of provincial child care cuts. She said that average families are counting on the childcare spaces promised by the Premier to be delivered.

"Gordon Campbell promised families that he would deliver new childcare spaces with the promised federal dollars," said James.  "Now that those dollars have disappeared, he has an obligation to assure British Columbians that the province will reverse its cuts to childcare and address mounting childcare waitlists and increased costs faced by BC families."

She said the government also needs to signal its commitment to at-risk children with added resources and an independent child protection officer. 

James said that Olympic cost overruns and the continuing crisis in the forest industry must be key government priorities in the spring session of the Legislature. She said that the premier must provide a plan to ensure that the critical areas of priority for ordinary British Columbians aren't sacrificed to pay for the Olympics.

"Issues like the forestry crisis, a lack of child care, declining services in health care, and skills shortage can't come second to Olympic cost overruns," said James.

James said that the NDP Opposition will be looking for specific Throne Speech commitments that back up the Liberal government's rhetoric.  

"Tomorrow's Throne Speech is an opportunity for Gordon Campbell to address the real issues facing ordinary families," said James.  "More 'Golden Decade' rhetoric is fine, but it needs to be backed up with substantive measures to help average British Columbians."

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