By Chris Beach

Northern View

The Northern View #53: Early Christmas Present for the BC Conservatives

Dec 4, 2024 | 9:29 AM

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David Eby, fresh off a razor thin victory in the BC election, has made some huge mistakes right out of the gate.

During the campaign Eby repeatedly told voters he would deliver instant tax relief if the NDP were re-elected, as opposed to the Conservative Rustad Rebate on rent or mortgage interest that would take a year to take effect.

So that was seven weeks ago and now we find out that the government will not be sitting until spring 2025, extending a legislative break that started last spring. If only we were all so lucky.

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More importantly, that promise of instant tax relief has already been broken because the government won’t be able to pass any new laws until well into next year. At least John Rustad was telling the truth.

Then the Premier made another decision that is giving British Columbians buyer’s remorse: Eby decided to give every single MLA in his 47- member caucus, backbenchers included, a hefty raise, whether they are in cabinet or not, at a time when many British Columbians are struggling to keep a roof over their head and put food on the table.

For a premier who has racked up record deficits and whose government doubled the 150-year BC debt in only 7 years in power, this $2 million pat on the back is an ominous start to a third term.

When Jean Chretien first got elected Prime Minister back in 1993, he knew Canadians wanted government to reign in spending, and he instantly got rid of Brian Mulroney’s luxury Cadillac for a run-of-the-mill Chevy sedan.

Now this was just a drop in the bucket of national spending, but it sent an important message that the Prime Minister, like all Canadians, was willing to make sacrifices and tighten his belt.

Not surprisingly, Chretien went on to win two more majority governments. David Eby has just barely won his first election as Premier, but if he keeps sending British Columbians messages like this, it’s going to be his last.

I’m Chris Beach and this is the Northern View.

Editors note: The views expressed in this column do not necessarily represent the views of Pattison Media.