In the Legislature

Ralston Bill Will Promote Safer Neighbourhoods

Surrey-Whalley MLA Bruce Ralston has introduced new legislation that promotes safer neighbourhoods by holding landlords accountable for criminal activities occurring on their properties.

 

“It’s time for B.C. to catch up with other provinces and bring in strong measures to target criminal organizations and gang-related activities operating in residential areas,” Ralston said after introducing the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act.

»

CAMPBELL MUST CURB SPENDING ON ADS

CAMPBELL MUST CURB SPENDING ON ADS AND EXECUTIVE SALARIES AS GOVERNMENT REVENUES PLUMMET

VICTORIA – Given the dramatic drop in revenues revealed in today’s updated financial figures, the Campbell government should immediately put a stop to the millions of dollars being spent on self-promotional advertising and pay raises for top executives, New Democrat finance critic Bruce Ralston said today following the release of the government’s updated financial figures.

"If Gordon Campbell was really serious about showing leadership, he would put a stop to the millions of dollars being spent on self-promoting ads and pay raises for top executives," said Ralston, the MLA for Surrey-Whalley.

The government’s second quarterly report, released today, shows a drop in projected provincial revenues of over $800 million.

"We’ve seen government revenues plummet by over $800 million since September. But the finance minister said he’s not going to look at curbing spending until February. That’s just not good enough," said Ralston.

"British Columbians deserve a government that will show leadership by cutting unnecessary spending now, not next year."

Ralston noted that Campbell wasn’t even in B.C. today to answer questions about the updated financial figures, he had flown to Toronto receive an award from big businesses for privatization.

Shooting at Service Station - Update

»

IT’S TIME TO PROTECT OUR SENIORS AND NOT PLAY POLITICS, SAY NDP MLAS

IT’S TIME TO PROTECT OUR SENIORS AND NOT PLAY POLITICS, SAY NDP MLAS

SURREY – New Democrat MLAs in the South Fraser region are calling on their Liberal counterparts to join them in standing up for seniors who are facing eviction from Zion Park Manor.

 

"It’s time for our whole community to work together to stop these evictions and save the beds at Zion Park Manor," said Delta North MLA Guy Gentner, the NDP critic for seniors’ health. "Everyone knows it’s a bad decision to close these beds – it’s bad for the residents, bad for the families and bad for our whole community."

 

Gentner said the distress caused by news of the plan to close 71 beds at Zion Park has been compounded by flip-flops and misinformation from the Campbell government.

 

"Last week families were told that none of the residents would be forced to move if they didn’t want to, but now the Campbell government has confirmed that the evictions will go ahead as planned," he said. "Evicting seniors from a home they love is not just mean-spirited and insensitive. It compromises their health."

 

Gentner – along with Surrey MLAs Harry Bains, Jagrup Brar, Sue Hammell and Bruce Ralston – are calling on the Campbell government to immediately stop the plans the close the 71 beds.

 

CAMPBELL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET STORY STRAIGHT ON IMPACT OF DOWNTURN FOR REVENUES, SAYS NDP

 On Monday, Carole James put forward a strong economic plan to help families through the economic downturn that includes a $900 million surplus for each of the next two years.  James based her plan on forecasts released by Finance Minister Colin Hansen four weeks ago. Responding to James last night, Hansen claimed that his numbers were no longer accurate, but refused to release updated figures to show the actual state of B.C.’s finances. “The last thing British Columbians need is a finance minister who plays politics with the numbers,” said New Democrat finance critic Bruce Ralston.  “British Columbians deserve better than a finance minister who one day says everything is fine and the next says revenues are dropping like a stone. Hansen has a duty to be upfront with British Columbians about that.  “Is Colin Hansen trying to say that revenue forecasts have plummeted by over $900 million since he last provided figures a month ago?”  Ralston said the finance minister is likely receiving updated revenue numbers at least weekly in this time of volatility -- and if he’s not, he should be. “Colin Hansen has an obligation to share those updated financial numbers with the public. If he was serious about providing real economic leadership, the minister would agree to come back to the legislature today and account for the current revenue forecasts so that we can get to work on addressing the economic downturn,” said Ralston, the MLA for Surrey-Whalley. “It’s patently ridiculous to say that the government has new numbers that contradict what the minister himself was saying days ago, and then to refuse to share those figures with the public.” Ralston said that members of Campbell’s cabinet aren’t on the same page when it comes to the economy, noting that yesterday while Hansen was suggesting there could be a billion-dollar drop in government revenues his colleague Kevin Krueger was arguing that any talk of downturn was just ‘doom and gloom’. “British Columbians deserve real leadership on the economy, not internal squabbling in cabinet and a finance minister who ducks the hard questions,” said Ralston. 
« first‹ previous123next ›last »