With the British Columbia election 17 days away, the parties continue to woo voters, with the NDP focusing on health care policies, the Conservatives laying out plans to help the agriculture industry and energy sectors, and the Greens releasing new details on housing and child care spending.
“People in rural B.C. face unique challenges“ getting health care, said Eby. ”If you need treatment or to see a specialist far from home, finding the resources to travel can be particularly tricky during an already difficult time.”
The government will cover mileage costs “and make sure rural British Columbians get payment upfront – so you’re not out-of-pocket while you wait to be reimbursed,” he said.
Patients will be able to claim mileage when flights are not available or not feasible.
The second policy change will see job protection for those with a serious illness extended from the current eight days to 27 weeks.
“It’s hard enough to face treatment and recovery from a difficult diagnosis like cancer,“ Eby said. ”Nobody should be worried about losing their job when they’re fighting for their life.”
Conservative Campaign Trail
The Conservative Party of BC released a plan to revitalize the provincial farming industry.Conservative Leader John Rustad’s plan also focuses on helping farmers get their products to market with strategies like expanding the Buy BC program so locally produced food and beverages are sold in stores. It also includes tax incentives for food manufacturing and improved rural transportation so farmers can get crops to market safely.
A Conservative government will also cut costs for farmers by scrapping the carbon tax, providing tax relief for small farmers renting land, and establishing a microloan program for farmers to purchase equipment, seeds, and livestock.
Rustad said his government will improve the water supply for farmers by investing in flood mitigation infrastructure, expanding water storage capacity on farms, and protecting agricultural water rights.
“BC’s farmers need reliable access to water to feed our province,” he said. “We will invest in water infrastructure and make sure agriculture is prioritized in water management policies.”
