BC’s Official Leader of the Opposition told British Columbia Union of Municipalities convention delegates that the province is headed in the wrong direction “in every way.”
In a speech delivered Thursday at the UBCM 2022 convention, Kevin Falcón promised to work with municipalities to increase the supply of housing, among other topics, such as health care, public safety and mental health.
Falcón acknowledged the need for “much-needed changes” to increase the supply of housing in a timely manner.
“Those changes will include legislative changes in Victoria that can help ensure we can get that supply to market,” he said. “The difference is that a government led by Kevin Falcon will work with local governments to ensure we get the right balance of incentives and disincentives to ensure we get the right results we need for the public of British Columbia.”
He then said during his speech that a government under his leadership would “flood the area” in terms of housing.
“We need more of everything: more condos, more townhouses, more single-family homes, where it makes sense, more of everything.”
Falcón later told reporters that such disincentives would be financial or non-financial in nature, such as “not participating in the provincial government’s financing programs” because “they are not doing their part to ensure that the houses come to market.”
Falcón reiterated his opposition to legislation that has yet to be formally announced and which he said would allow the provincial government to “dictate” density in communities.
“That will end badly, because David Eby (currently running for leadership of the New Democratic Party and former housing minister) with the greatest respect has absolutely no private sector experience, no housing experience at all,” he said. Falcon.
Falcón also attacked the government’s record on health care, public safety, and mental health treatment during his speech and press conference.
“The health care system is in a serious state of crisis in every part of this province and I can tell you that in rural British Columbia the magnitude of the requests is worse than what you see in the Lower Mainland, which is pretty bad,” he told reporters.
He has previously said that one of the basic functions of government is to ensure public safety, which he said has been declining significantly.
“The second thing I hear about is the issue of crime and social disorder, and frankly, the social chaos in many communities is the worst that you have ever seen,” he told reporters. “It’s to the point of despair.”
He promised to end what he called the “David Eby and NDP overseen government catch-and-release system” of prolific criminals through unspecified investments in the judiciary, but also additional investments in mental health, which would ultimately instance would help reduce police surveillance and others. costs
A government under his leadership would end what he called the “storage” of mentally challenged people in hotels. Instead, he would introduce “updated, modernized, yet compassionate versions” of the now-closed Riverview facility to provide 24/7 care and support to those facing serious mental health issues.
Falcón’s speech did not devote much time to climate change. He acknowledged this omission during his remarks to reporters later, promising massive investment in rapid transit and encouraging the tech community to help find solutions.
“(The climate crisis) will not be solved by the government,” he said. “It will be the private sector that leads the way.”
Falcón also acknowledged that the BC Liberals made a mistake by handing authority over the levees to the municipalities, adding that spending money on this issue now will help save billions in the future.
“The province has to take more of a leading role,” he said.
Do you have a history tip? Email: [email protected].
Follow us Twitter Y instagram, and like us in Facebook.
<!– View Comments –>
