Big B.C. election promises from both frontrunners mean big spending ahead

Regardless of the outcome of the B.C. provincial election, it is clear that there will be a significant increase in spending in the coming years, with both the BC Conservative and BC NDP leaders making multi-billion-dollar promises.

This week, the BC Conservatives unveiled promises for tens of billions of dollars in capital spending, with infrastructure upgrades planned across the province.

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The plan includes commitments to replace the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, add a second bridge across Okanagan Lake, build SkyTrain to Newton, expand the Pattullo Bridge to six lanes, expand Highway 1 to six lanes to Chilliwack and rebuild Highway 1 interchanges, replace the Taylor Bridge over the Peace River, and upgrade Highway 19 around Nanaimo.

The Conservatives have also introduced new program spending in various areas.

On Friday, the party also pledged to enhance the Affordable Childcare Benefit and BC Family Benefit for low-income families, along with deregulation, as part of a plan to enhance access to $10-a-day childcare and create 24-hour childcare spaces.

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The party has previously committed to increasing tax credits and funding for seniors’ home care, adding 5,000 long-term care beds, and covering healthcare expenses for out-of-province care if wait times in B.C. are excessive.

The Conservatives are also pledging a $1 billion annual infrastructure fund for municipalities and $3.5 billion for tax credits on British Columbians’ mortgage and rental payments.

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However, Rustad has assured that his party will not reduce healthcare services while committing to eliminating B.C.’s carbon tax, reducing small business taxes by 1%, avoiding tolls or road taxes, refraining from implementing new taxes without a referendum, and eliminating B.C.’s $9 billion deficit within two terms.

Regarding how a Conservative government would finance its promises, the party has indicated a focus on economic growth and cutting unnecessary spending in general.

“When we announce our platform, you will see the costing for the things we have announced,” Rustad stated in response to inquiries about his spending commitments on Friday.

“I’ll give John Rustad one thing. He is good at making promises and very bad at following through,” BC NDP Leader David Eby remarked on Friday.

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However, Eby has also made several high-cost promises, mostly funded through new government debt.

According to the NDP platform released on Thursday, new spending would increase the provincial deficit by about $3 billion through 2027.

Planned NDP program spending includes a $1,000 per household tax cut, 40% financing for first-time homebuyers on purpose-built housing, a guarantee of educational assistants in K-3 classrooms and expanded before- and after-school care, a freeze on car insurance premiums, and free transit for seniors during off-peak hours.

The New Democrats have also made various capital spending promises, such as extending the Broadway Subway line to UBC, funding Bus Rapid Transit to the North Shore with plans for future upgrades to light rail or SkyTrain, and extending the West Coast Express line to Chilliwack.

The NDP introduced a new planned source of revenue on Friday: doubling the province’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax targeting empty homes.

British Columbians are set to vote on Oct. 19.

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