Butting political heads on Budget '09; Campbell still out of touch with what the people need

Eight weeks before the election, British Columbians are worried about their jobs and the services they need to get through tough times.

But just like in 2001 and 2005, Premier Gordon Campbell offers a sad collection of empty promises that do nothing to help B.C. families through difficult times. The question is why, after eight years of longer waiting lists, overcrowded emergency rooms, and larger class sizes, should we believe him this time?

Look past the rhetoric and more closely at the numbers, and it's clear Campbell can't be trusted to keep his promises.

British Columbians have seen this movie before. In 2001, Campbell made many of same commitments. He said he would improve patient care, that children were his first priority, that seniors would get the care they deserve.

But after the election, he sprung an extreme agenda on British Columbians that few voted for or expected. Massive tax cuts for high-income earners were paid for by deep service cuts to health and education, and services for children. Hospitals were closed, seniors separated, and children put at risk.

Eight years later, the economic circumstances have changed but the essential truth remains: the Campbell Liberals can't be trusted to focus on the fundamental priorities that make a difference in the lives of average British Columbians. And their record during the current economic downturn proves it.

While the rest of the world was preparing for a recession the premier and finance minister acted like everything was fine. The economic update delivered in October was a fairy tale, complete with an assurance that deficits were impossible.

Almost the first announcement after the premier's statement was a new $365 million retractable roof over BC Place, a roof made and creating jobs in Germany.

Four months later, the B.C. Liberals look shell-shocked. Deficits, vanishing jobs, and no recovery in sight have put the lie to eight years of B.C. Liberal feel-good rhetoric. British Columbians are hurting and the Liberals don't have a clue what do about it.

Campbell is out of step with what the times call for and out of touch with the daily reality most people face. That's why he has no plan to help British Columbians through these times.

Just last week, Campbell said he would get tough on gangs. A few days later, his budget forecasts deep cuts to courts, prosecutors and justice services. In the throne speech, the premier said advanced education was critical to securing opportunity. A day later he cuts funding for student aid.

The premier says children are his first priority. His budget cuts the social workers protecting children.

And despite the premier's promise not to add costs onto business and families, his budget will triple the gas tax in the coming two years.

New Democrats understand that to compete and win in tomorrow's economy, people and infrastructure must be central to creating wealth and strong communities. A strong business climate is essential. But that's just part of the equation.

To increase economic opportunity we must also make significant investments in education, skills training and green infrastructure. And we must ensure that universal public health care remains the social and competitive advantage that it has been for a generations.

Other jurisdictions are making those changes. Campbell's lack of action is putting us behind.

The New Democrat plan starts first with the needs of average families. We've laid out a plan to start building affordable housing, to reduce crushing student debt-loads, and to make work pay by raising the minimum wage. We've proposed protections for seniors in care and will follow through on the long-term care beds Campbell never built.

Our Green Bond announced last week invests in green infrastructure here at home, and our agenda includes bold reforms to our forest industry to put it back on solid footing.

In addition, New Democrats have led the fight to get tough on crime and its causes. We will give police and prosecutors new resources to fight gang violence.

The New Democrat plan is about helping average, hardworking British Columbians in every part of the province through these difficult times. We won't waste taxpayer money on pet projects, privatization giveaways and big raises for top aides.

We will focus on the fundamentals, on securing a better future for every family and every community. That's the clear difference. That's the choice in the coming election.

Carole James is the leader of the New Democratic Party and Bruce Ralston is its finance critic.