Carole James was touring the Kootenays today claiming the NDP would “strengthen the relationship” with local government.
April 25, 2009
Carole James was touring the Kootenays today claiming the NDP would “strengthen the relationship” with local government.
Many local governments may have trouble believing that given the NDP’s abysmal record of cutting services and support to communities when the NDP was in government:
- Between 1996 and 2001, the NDP cut funding to local governments by almost 75 per cent - from $141 million to just $36 million.
- According to the Union of BC Municipalities, the NDP offloaded more than $800 million in costs onto local governments by way of reduced grants, elimination of services and offloading of highway maintenance and responsibility.
- Current NDP candidate Jenny Kwan was the minister responsible in 1999 who cut annual grants to local governments by $42 million in that year alone.
We’d be surprised if Carole James mentioned that record on her tour. Just as we’d be surprised if she mentioned the $2 billion in new funding and programs for local government that the BC Liberals put in place that the Carole James NDP voted against, including:
- $1.4 billion to build local infrastructure in communities through the $14 billion infrastructure plan for economic stimulus.
- $285 million for the Northern Development Trust, Southern Interior Development Trust and the North Island–Coast Development Trust funds, governed by local government representatives and aimed at fostering economic development in every region.
- $210 million in traffic fine revenue to support the more than 1,100 additional police officers.
- $100 million to fund local flood protection projects.
- $51 million for Towns for Tomorrow programs – funding up to 80 per cent of infrastructure projects in smaller communities and regional districts.
- $40 million to the LocalMotion program for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the accessibility of communities.
- $30 million for the RuralBC Secretariat to enhance community economic development.
- $20 million for Spirit Squares to create local celebration sites in communities
On top of all this, Carole James has yet to explain to any Kootenay communities why she wants to see thousands of their jobs disappear through her reckless policies on the environment, forestry and clean energy. Perhaps after she comes clean on that, communities may be ready to listen.
