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Affordability platforms

Here's what the candidates in Boundary-Similkameen, and their parties, are promising.

Childcare

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BC Greens

  • Provide paid final practicums for teachers and Early Childhood Educators

    "Provide paid final practicums for teachers and Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), offering financial support during their essential training periods." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Create a universal funding model to reduce administrative burdens for providers

    "Create a universal Early Childhood Education funding model to reduce administrative burdens for childcare providers, allowing them to focus on care. This model will address wage grids, space creation, licensing, staffing, and fee reduction initiatives." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Increase wages for Early Childhood Educators to $30-$40/hour by 2026

    "Implement gradual increases to the ECE wage grid, and reach $30-40 per hour by 2026." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Ensure ECEs have access to pension plans and extended health benefits
  • Provide $250M to expand childcare spaces for children under 5

    "Allocate at least $250 million to expand childcare space creation for children and infants under 5." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Provide $100M in new funding for renovations and additions to schools to create childcare spaces

    "Provide $100 million in new funding to create a capital program within the Ministry of Education for renovations and additions to schools to support ECE space creation." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Expand availability of dedicated school-age childcare spaces across schools, and increase before and after school programme offerings
    1. "Expand the availability of dedicated school-age care spaces across BC schools to meet the needs of working families.
    2. Increase before and after school program offerings to provide flexible childcare solutions for families."

    BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

BC NDP

  • Expand $10-a-day childcare
  • Invest $500M in new accessible, affordable childcare spaces

    "That’s why we’re making a $500 million initial investment to add new desperately needed accessible and affordable child care spaces, initiating a long- term capital plan that will be built with input from families, providers, school districts, municipalities, sector experts and more." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Provide affordable before- and after-school care for kids up to the age of 12 in every school district

    "Deliver affordable before- and after-school care for kids up to age 12 across BC. By working with school districts, education assistants, and other trusted staff, we’ll bring costs down for even more families through affordable before- and after-school care in every school district." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-16

BC Conservatives

  • Fund independent childcare providers to provide $10-a-day childcare spaces

    "Expand $10 a day childcare availability by ending the NDP’s funding bias against independent childcare providers, who are experienced and ready to provide the $10 a day spaces that families need - right now." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • As more $10-a-day spaces become available, prioritise access for kids who have the fewest alternatives
  • Remove unnecessary regulations on childcare

    "Increase the supply of childcare, everywhere by identifying and fixing unnecessary or unreasonable regulations - by any level of government - that prevent high-quality childcare spaces from opening, whether in home-based childcares, commercial spaces, or in public buildings like schools and rec centers." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Review and increase the Affordable Childcare Benefit and BC Family Benefit

    "Provide financial relief for all lower and middle income families. The Affordable Childcare Benefit and BC Family Benefit will be reviewed and increased so families have what they need to look after their kids - whether they prefer childcare outside the house, at home with parents, or with support from family members." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Create 24-hour childcare spaces to support shift workers and first responders
  • Support schools to offer childcare programmes
  • Simplify credential conversion for educators, social workers, and teachers to switch to childcare
  • Allow educators to work as Early Childhood Educator assistants during the summer

Food costs

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BC Greens

  • Create a universal school food programme, with access regardless of family income

    "Create a universal school food program ensuring all students, regardless of family income, have access to healthy meals." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

    "Create a universal school food program that provides:

    ° Equal Access: Ensuring every child in British Columbia has access to healthy meals, regardless of their family’s financial situation.

    ° Nutritional Standards: Meals will meet nutritional guidelines to support children’s health and development.

    ° School and Community Collaboration: Work with schools, organizations, and local farmers to promote sustainable practices and educate children on healthy eating habits."

    BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

BC NDP

  • Expand the school meals programme

    "Expand the school meals program to save families money on groceries and put our kids’ health first – study after study has shown these critical meal programs improve students’ health, learning and outcomes." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

We don't have any BC Conservatives policies on Food costs.

Fuel and transportation costs

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BC NDP

  • Make transit free for seniors in non-peak hours

BC Conservatives

  • Eliminate PST on affordable used cars

    "Eliminate the PST on affordable used vehicles that have already had PST charged on them. Double taxation is unfair, especially for basic cars that people need for their commute. Additionally, we will reverse the NDP’s tax grab and ensure that any PST charged on a used vehicle is based on the sale price, not an arbitrary value made-up by the government." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

  • Index the vehicle Luxury Tax to average vehicle values

    "Index the vehicle Luxury Tax to average vehicle values to reflect car price inflation, and ensure people are not punished for buying vehicles needed for work. The so-called ‘luxury tax’ kicks-in at $55,000, even though the average price of a new car sold in BC is $66,000." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

  • End inspections for out-of-province vehicle imports
  • Require speed cameras and road safety units to be highly visible

    "Prioritise traffic safety over ticket revenue by requiring speed cameras and road safety units to be highly visible. This will improve deterrence, increase fairness for drivers, and prevent reactionary law enforcement tactics that lead to distracted driving.

    o We believe the primary role of traffic enforcement should be to promote road safety via visibility and deterrence, with penalties for those who break the law."

    Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

Post-secondary costs and loans

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BC Greens

  • Increase BC Access Grant, and extend eligibility to graduate students

    "Increase the amount students can receive through the BC Access Grant and extend eligibility to graduate students to reduce financial barriers." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Work with Student Aid BC to make more professions eligible for student loan forgiveness

    "Collaborate with Student Aid BC to expand the list of professions eligible for student loan forgiveness, targeting in-demand occupations and underserved communities." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

We don't have any BC NDP policies on Post-secondary costs and loans.
We don't have any BC Conservatives policies on Post-secondary costs and loans.

Poverty

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BC Greens

  • Approximately double social assistance rates

    "Raise social assistance rates to ensure that individuals can meet their basic living expenses and live above the poverty line." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

    Single person: $1,060 -> $2,400

    Person and a spouse with no children: $1,650 -> $3,450

    Single parent with one child: $1,405 -> $2,900

    Person and a spouse and one child: $1,845 -> $3,450

  • Increase disability assistance rates

    "Increase disability assistance rates to provide adequate support for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they can thrive in their communities." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

    Single person: $1,483.50 -> $2,400

    Person and a spouse with no children: $2,548.50 -> $3,450

    Single parent with one child: $1,828.50 -> $2,900

    Person and a spouse and one child: $2,268.50 -> $3,450

  • Remove clawbacks on social and disability assistance

    "Remove clawbacks, including the spousal cap, to ensure individuals receive the full support they need." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Remove intrusive checks into people seeking social or disability assistance

    "Create low-barrier access to assistance, eliminating intrusive checks that discourage individuals from seeking help." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Ensure a year of guaranteed assistance upon first receipt of social or disability assistance

    "Ensure a year of guaranteed assistance upon first receipt, allowing individuals to assess their needs without the burden of constant checks and reporting."

  • Reduce regular reporting requirements after the first year on social or disability assistance to ease recipients' administrative burden

    "Reduce regular reporting requirements after the first year to ease the administrative burden on recipients." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Raise the food crisis grant from $40/mo to $200/mo

    "Raise the food crisis grant from $40 per month to $200 per month to better support individuals facing food insecurity." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Develop a poverty reduction plan tailored for Indigenous people

    "Develop a poverty reduction plan tailored to Indigenous individuals, families, and Nations, addressing the systemic impacts of genocide and dispossession." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Fund Indigenous-specific services, including reintegration programmes for incarcerated Indigenous women, addiction support, and childcare

    "Fund Indigenous-specific services in social service areas, including reintegration programs for incarcerated Indigenous women, addiction support, and childcare." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Invest in specific programmes for youth aging out of care, women fleeing violence, people with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed

    "Invest in programs for specific groups such as youth aging out of care, women fleeing violence, people with disabilities, and those who are long-term unemployed." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

BC NDP

  • Continue to increase minimum wage in-line with inflation

BC Conservatives

  • Increase the supplemental income cap for people receiving disability assistance

    "Increase the supplemental income cap for people receiving disability assistance. The current cap of $16,200 is too low - discouraging people from seeking work. Raising the cap would also reduce pressure on family members who currently often have to provide additional financial support." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

  • Review disability assistance rates annually

    "Review disability assistance rates annually. NDP-Trudeau inflation has been devastating for people across BC, especially people with disabilities who rely on assistance payments to cover the costs of living. We will review rates annually to make sure people with disabilities have the support they need." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

Public transit

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BC Greens

  • Make all public transit free

    "We will implement a free public transit system for all people in British Columbia." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Provide at least hourly service for key bus routes, and at least four services per day on all other routes
  • Double the number of buses in 3 years, and triple within 6
  • Provide immediate funding for TransLink to maintain and expand service levels in 2025
  • Require government to spend as much on public transit, walking, and cycling as highway infrastructure and operations

    "We will require the Government to spend at least as much on public transit, walking, and cycling as on highway infrastructure and operations.

    Reduce the subsidy that car drivers receive to promote equitable transportation funding."

    BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Establish an all-party Parliamentary Committee to determine sustainable transport funding

    "We will establish an all-party Parliamentary Committee for sustainable transport funding.

    The Committee will gather expert opinions to create a non-partisan mechanism for funding transport infrastructure and operations, ensuring a comprehensive network for trains, ferries, buses, bikes, trucks, and cars."

    BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

BC NDP

  • Launch dedicated RapidBus service on the new expanded Highway 1 shoulder lanes
  • Expand the Broadway Subway project to go all the way to UBC
  • Build two additional Bus Rapid Transit corridors
  • Provide fast, frequent, and reliable service along the King George Highway from Surrey Centre to White Rock
  • Connect Langley to Maple Ridge with rapid transit
  • Build a Bus Rapid Transit corridor to the North Shore
  • Extend West Coast Express to Chilliwack
  • Bring HandyDART services into government, instead of sub-contracting it to a private company
  • Review all use of private contractors for delivering BC Transit

    "Review all private delivery models within BC Transit to make sure British Columbians are getting the best value for tax dollars and the best service for their needs." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Work with TransLink and the Mayors' Council on the Access for Everyone plan

    "Continue expanding and strengthening transit service by working with TransLink and the Mayors' Council on the Access for Everyone plan to ensure service continues to be there for people." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Make transit free for seniors in non-peak hours

BC Conservatives

  • Add a north-south SkyTrain line along the King George corridor to Newton in Surrey
  • Work with municipal leaders and TransLink to identify the highest priority projects from Transport 2050 to fund

    "Fund key projects in the Transport 2050 plan, working with municipal leaders and TransLink to identify the highest-priority projects which may include expansions of SkyTrain, Bus Rapid Transit, Rapid Bus, and express and local bus services." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Address service deficits in Surrey
  • Implement a zero-tolerance policy for drug use, threats, and violence on public transit

    "Implement a zero-tolerance policy for drug use, threats, and violence on public transit. Offences against both riders and operators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and we will work with TransLink and the Transit Police to make sure they have all tools needed to keep the system safe." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Invest in BC Transit, focusing on high-growth areas where services are lacking
  • Expand HandyDART services and strictly enforce service quality standards for HandyDART contractors
    1. "Expand HandyDART services to areas of greatest need, ensuring seniors have access to affordable, reliable transportation.
    2. Strictly enforce service quality standards for HandyDART contractors to improve transportation reliability for seniors."

    conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Fully fund TransLink for two years, while auditing and reforming their financial model
    1. "Fully fund TransLink for two years to maintain uninterrupted, reliable service. Commuters shouldn’t need to worry about whether they can get to work or school. We will ensure full funding for transit as the financial model is audited.
    2. Audit and reform TransLink's financial model to ensure the long-term availability of funding that not just maintains service, but fuels expansion for the future."

    conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

Seniors' benefits

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BC Greens

  • Increase thresholds for Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters to $45K for single individuals and $50K for couples

    "We will increase the thresholds for SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters) to provide greater monthly rental assistance for low-income seniors. The thresholds will be raised to $45,000 for single individuals and $50,000 for couples, ensuring more seniors qualify for support." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Apply vacancy control to assisted living, including additional fees for services, to limit rent and fee increases between tenants

    "We will apply vacancy control to assisted living, including the additional fees for services, to protect seniors from rent increases and extra charges." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

BC NDP

  • Qualify more people for Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters, and increase the support available to individual renters

    "Helping more seniors make rent and reduce costs by qualifying more people for SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters) and increasing the support available for individual renters." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Increase the Senior's Supplement by $50 to $149/month
  • Make transit free for seniors in non-peak hours

BC Conservatives

  • Update rent and income thresholds annually for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters programme to reflect inflation and market conditions
  • Double the Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities to $2,000
  • Expand HandyDART services and strictly enforce service quality standards for HandyDART contractors
    1. "Expand HandyDART services to areas of greatest need, ensuring seniors have access to affordable, reliable transportation.
    2. Strictly enforce service quality standards for HandyDART contractors to improve transportation reliability for seniors."

    conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

Tax measures and rebates

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BC Greens

  • Do a systemic review of the entire tax and transfer system

    "The BC Greens would undertake a systematic review of British Columbia’s entire tax and transfer system.

    • This would look not just at what is and isn’t taxed and to what extent, but also how the system treats different groups, including both census families and individuals.

    • It would consider where our tax take is on the Laffer curve, and what the incentives are for both high income individuals and companies." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Introduce an additional 22.5% marginal tax rate on incomes over $350,000

    "The BC Greens would introduce an additional marginal tax rate of incomes over $350,000 per year, of 22.5%. This would impact 39,936 tax filers, with an average income of $935,090. The additional revenue raised is $394.5 million." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

BC NDP

  • Cut taxes by $1,000 for 90% of families
  • Provide a one-year $500 individual rebate and $1,000 household rebate

BC Conservatives

  • Require approval from voters via a referendum or election for any new tax
  • Allow people to exempt $3,000/mo of rent or mortgage interest costs from provincial income taxes, starting with $1,500/mo in 2026

    "1) Largest tax cut for renters and homeowners in BC history – $3,000 per month of rent or mortgage interest costs will be exempt from provincial income taxes. This will be achieved by issuing a tax credit worth 5.06% of eligible housing costs, equivalent to the rate of BC’s base tax bracket.

    2) Immediate relief in Budget 2026 - by exempting $1,500 per month, increasing by $500 per year to the full level of $3,000 per month. This is a clear and long-term commitment to British Columbians who work hard.

    3) A fair and fiscally responsible tax credit – The 2026 budget impact will not exceed $900 million, and we will design a targeted tax credit that ensures the relief goes to people who need it to get ahead in life." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

Utility costs

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We don't have any BC Greens policies on Utility costs.

BC NDP

  • Provide a rebate programme for making energy efficiency upgrades to your home

    "Cut the cost of heating and cooling your home, making it more comfortable and efficient while helping reduce your carbon footprint. Our rebate program will help you with the cost of energy efficiency upgrades, that then help you save even more money over the long term through lower energy and heating bills." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

We don't have any BC Conservatives policies on Utility costs.


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