Leaders hit the B.C. election trail with big promises

Party leaders were out and about Monday as they kicked off their first official work week of campaigning before next month’s provincial election.

BC Conservatives Leader John Rustad says if elected he plans to provide “real relief” for B.C. renters and homeowners, with his “Rustad rebate.”

Rustad announced that $3,000 per month for housing costs will be exempted from B.C. residents’ income tax.

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The Conservatives say the rebate will begin with a $1,500 exemption, per month, in 2026, and increase by $500 per year to $3,000 per month.

Rustad explained the party’s announcement aims to “ease the burden on renters and homeowners while promoting fairness and economic growth.”

“Our goal is simple: put more money in the pockets of British Columbians, reduce the cost of living, and finally get our housing market under control,” Rustad shared.

The program is slated to cost over $3 billion. However, the party did not share how the rebate would be funded.

Meanwhile, NDP Leader David Eby was in Burnaby Monday morning to chat about his commitment to tackling issues in health care.

Eby said he is focusing on getting residents in the province connected with family doctors or nurse practitioners.

Eby announced a two-pronged attack to address residents’ health-care concerns. He says if elected, the NDP will allow pharmacists to test and prescribe for more common conditions, such as UTI or renal functions.

He shared the NDP will also reduce paperwork for doctors.

“We will work with experts in the healthcare system to identify and eliminate tedious and outdated processes that take too much time at the doctor’s office. This includes eliminating doctors’ notes for occasional sick days, improving the referral system to get people into see a specialist faster, and working on a common approach to finally end the use of the fax machine for renewing medication,” the NDP leader said.

Eby also shared that if elected, the NDP will provide “immediate provincial licences” for health-care workers who have been trained in Canada. Those who have been trained in comparable global regions will receive the same licences within six weeks, he added.

BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau is spending the day in Victoria. Furstenau says her party is committed to collaboration with the goal of solving issues in health care, education, social safety.

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