In every election, the North Shore News sends questionnaires to candidates running for office and publishes their responses. These are the responses from West Vancouver-Sea to Sky's candidates in alphabetical order.
BC NDP
Name: Jen Ford
Age: 45
Do you live in riding?
Yes, I've lived in Whistler for 22 years (spent 1 year in Pemberton)
What will your government do to address the climate crisis?
We’ve got the most ambitious climate plan in Canada - CleanBC. We’re ensuring that the oil and gas industry fits within the emissions targets of that plan, and bringing in an emissions cap for the oil and gas industry.
How will your government make housing more affordable?
It’s too hard to afford housing in BC - and we’re taking action, by building homes for people and cracking down on speculators. There’s more to do, and we won’t stop pushing.
How will your government improve access to health care?
We’re connecting more people to family doctors every day - with thousands of people in Whistler alone connected in the last year alone. At this rate, everyone on the registry will have a family doctor by the end of 2025.
What is your plan for a vibrant B.C. economy?
We know that cities in BC need to protect employment lands - and we’re doing just that with an Industrial Land Reserve. We’ve got the highest wage growth between provinces and we’re acting to grow the economy, and we’ll keep pushing.
What will your government do to address homelessness and public safety?
Some people who have mental illness, addictions and brain injuries all at once. They deserve care, but can’t ask for it themselves. For those people, we are bringing in a form of involuntary care, to help keep them and their communities safe.
How will you advance Indigenous reconciliation?
We’ve forged strong partnerships with First Nations, embodied in our Declaration Act Action Plan, a set of 89 meaningful actions we can take together to advance reconciliation. We’ll implement that plan, and keep moving forward.
Website and social media accounts:
jenford.bcndp.ca Insta @jenfordforndp FB Jen Ford West Vancouver Sea to Sky
Conservative Party of BC
Name: Yuri Fulmer
Age: 50
Do you live in riding?
I have lived in the riding for the better part of 20 years until the boundary of the riding was recently moved. I now live about 100 yards away.
What will your government do to address the climate crisis?
The NDP’s lack of planning risks BC’s energy future. Conservatives will focus on affordability, reliability, and independence by investing in clean energy, upgrading infrastructure, and considering all technologies, including nuclear.
How will your government make housing more affordable?
Our “Get BC Building” plan will approve homes in months, repeal hidden taxes, support transit oriented development and end the over-regulation of housing. The Rustad Rebate will provide the largest tax cut for renters and homeowners in BC history.
How will your government improve access to health care?
Our Patients First healthcare model will stop ER closures, end long wait times, expand access to care, and direct funding to the front lines. We will create a modern, transparent and accountable BC healthcare system under a single payer model.
What is your plan for a vibrant B.C. economy?
A Conservative government will decrease the cost of living for everyday British Columbians and bolster our economy. We will also cut red tape and ensure businesses have what they need to succeed.
What will your government do to address homelessness and public safety?
The Eby-Trudeau regime has neglected their responsibility to keep communities safe. We will keep violent offenders in jail, fund the police, and keep drugs off the streets. We will prioritize treatment rather than handing out free drugs.
How will you advance Indigenous reconciliation?
As your MLA, I will continue decades of collaboration with Indigenous communities to advance economic reconciliation. The CPBC believes this is key to self-determination and the foundation for the health and prosperity of Indigenous people in BC.
Website and social media accounts:
Website: www.yurifulmerbc.ca | Instagram+Facebook: @yurifulmerbc
BC Green Party
Name: Jeremy Valeriote
Age: 50
Do you live in riding?
Yes - for 6 years
What will your government do to address the climate crisis?
Stop permitting new fracking wells and LNG projects, increase carbon rebates, make sure that big polluters pay their share by eliminating loopholes, and provide consistent signals to the economy to continue our transition to clean energy.
How will your government make housing more affordable?
Treat housing as a human right, not a commodity for investors. Invest in non-market housing in addition to relying on the market, restrict huge rent increases between tenancies, curtail real estate investment trust profiting from housing shortage.
How will your government improve access to health care?
Establish community health centres across the province, streamline bureaucracy to move to a patient-centred approach, fix the referral system, shift focus in favour of primary and preventative care, prioritize not-for-profit delivery of health care.
What is your plan for a vibrant B.C. economy?
Look to the horizon to invest in the economy of the future and provide the signals and predictability needed for the private sector to thrive. Invest in the public services that enable retention of smart, motivated, skilled employees.
What will your government do to address homelessness and public safety?
Address the root causes of poverty, addiction and mental health challenges by creating a more equitable society through education and a strong social safety net, including non-market housing and the social supports needed for healing.
How will you advance Indigenous reconciliation?
Advance Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare, so that it is more trauma-informed, safe and culturally appropriate. Affirm Indigenous language rights, empower Indigenous governments with equitable access to resources and authority.
Website and social media accounts:
www.bcgreens.ca/wvs, https://www.instagram.com/jervaleriote/ https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.valeriote.2024/
