NDP spin can't hide truth

MAY 3, 2009

In trying to spin the leaders’ debate, the NDP again resorted to dishonesty in their post-debate news release and continued their campaign of misinformation.

NDP CLAIM: The NDP claimed that the BC Liberals have not met their commitment to build 5,000 new seniors care beds.  WRONG
THE FACTS: Since 2001 the BC Liberals have built 5,896 net new and replaced 6,539 residential care beds, assisted living and supportive housing units.  That’s 12,435 new seniors housing units serving seniors in every corner of the province.

NDP CLAIM: Carole James and the NDP will build 3,000 new long term care beds and reopen 300 beds.  WRONG
THE FACTS: The NDP have budgeted only $210 million in capital and $130 million in annual operating to meet this commitment. In reality, it would cost closer to $1 billion in capital to build those beds, and operating costs are around $240 million a year.  Clearly the NDP has no plan to actually meet this commitment.

NDP CLAIM: Carole James claimed that a reduction in discretionary spending would result in fewer resources to fight crime. WRONG
THE FACTS: The BC Liberal plan is adding an additional 168 police officers and 10 prosecutors to strengthen B.C.’s fight against gang and gun crime.  Carole James’ suggestion that reducing discretionary spending will impact resources to fight clime is false and completely disingenuous considering her plan cuts government spending by $1.2-billion MORE than the BC Liberal plan.  Compounding her dishonesty, Carole James and the NDP have voted against the resources that have added more than 1,100 new police officers across the province.

NDP CLAIM: BC Liberals have abandoned rural B.C. WRONG
THE FACTS: The BC Liberals have invested more in rural B.C. than any government in B.C. history.  The NDP have voted against every dollar of this funding.  Furthermore, the NDP continue to advocate job killing polices that independent analysis has confirmed will destroy over 110,000 jobs primarily in rural B.C.