Health Care is main issue
British Columbia's health care system was the primary topic of concern at an all-candidates meeting held at the Elks Hall in Osoyoos on April 26.
The meeting was hosted by the Osoyoos Chamber of Commerce and chaired by Bud Alcorn.
Liberal candidate Bill Barisoff, NDP candidate Garry Litke and Green Party candidate James Cunningham were in attendance to speak directly to Osoyoos citizens.
After the opening addresses, the floor was opened up to questions.
Most of the approximately 75 people in attendance who asked questions were concerned about the quality of health care in B.C.
Some who spoke were noticeably passionate about the issue and offered personal stories to demonstrate their fears of a health care system that is failing British Columbians.
Doctor and nurse shortages, hospital bed closures, surgery cancellations and cuts to Pharmacare all featured in the night's discussion.
All three candidates named health care as a top priority in their party's platforms.
Barisoff took most of the heat on health care issues due to the Liberals' initial cuts to health care four years ago.
Both Litke and Cunningham vowed to restore B.C.'s health care system, citing the addition of long term care beds and the reduction of wait times for surgeries.
At the meeting, all the candidates outlined their platforms.
I believe that it's time for new leadership in British Columbia, NDP candidate Garry Litke said.
Our first priorities would be to tackle the crisis in health care.rnLitke went on to say the Interior Health Authority predicts that by the year 2009, B.C. will be short 120 long term care beds in the South Okanagan alone.
Litke said the NDP platform commits to opening 1,000 long term care beds in 2005, with an additional 5,000 long term care beds by 2009.
Litke also said the NDP plans improve home care, stop the erosion of Pharmacare, license more trained doctors and cut hospital wait lists with public surgery clinics.
Another top priority for the NDP is education.
We will reduce class sizes, freeze post-secondary tuition fees, and double the apprenticeship and training programs over the next four years.rnThe next priority for the NDP is to ensure society's most vulnerable are cared for, with the protection of children one of the top priorities.
We will fund women's centres and fund child care.rnThe NDP also plans to re-establish the Ministry of the Environment to enforce protection of water, land and air.
We will restrict raw log exports, tie resource use to the communities that the resources come from and clean up the salmon fishery.
We will do all of these things within a balanced budget and propose a $180 million surplus. We will target tax cuts for small businesses that are innovative.rnFinally, Litke said the NDP will preserve public assets by stopping the privatization in health care, by restoring public control of B.C. Ferries and by ensuing that B.C. Hydro and ICBC remain public in order to keep rates low.
The message the NDP wants voters to know is 'everyone matters.'
This election is about our future, said Bill Barisoff at the meeting.
It's about leadership. Who can best lead our province?rnOsoyoos is an amazing community. What has gone on here over the last four years is simply incredible.rnBarisoff cited some major developments and partnerships, such as Spirit Ridge, a joint enterprise with the Osoyoos Indian Band, and boasted that the South Okanagan has the lowest unemployment rate in over 20 years.
The power of a strong economy can do many things. Most importantly, it can build us a better South Okanagan, Barisoff said.
Barisoff went on to list a number of projects the South Okanagan has seen develop over the past four years.
Highway improvements, upgrades to the Osoyoos Airport and Sun Bowl Arena, new playground equipment at the local daycare centre, a multi-million dollar Gateway Centre, wetlands preservation and Okanagan River restoration, SIR program funding, and a multi-million dollar Heritage Centre in partnership with the OIB were all listed as examples of B.C.'s achievements.
Everything I've just mentioned we've done or made possible in the last four years, Barisoff said.
Today, we have the lowest personal income tax in this country. We have a balanced budget, a $1.7 billion debt repayment and we're spending the most money on health and education ever in the history of the province.rnI don't have a prepared speech. I prefer to speak from the heart and tell you what I believe, said Green Party candidate James Cunningham.
I believe that this is an absolutely wonderful province and that we have unlimited potential here, but we have to look at things in a more balanced way. We need to be considering not just if things make economic sense, but also that things make societal and environmental sense.rnCunningham added, although he is in favour of growth, it cannot continue in an unreasonable manner; it needs to be better managed.
I believe in a one-tier medical system, and that waiting lists should be eliminated.
Cunningham addressed the topic of education, saying I believe we should be funding a good education for our kids.rnCunningham also said he believed we should be increasing local control and we should establish good faith bargaining with the unions and with the Native bands.
I don't have all the answers, but I do know in my heart that there's something wrong with the system and the way we're doing things.rnBud Alcorn thanked the candidates for coming to speak to Osoyoos and thanked the audience for voicing their concerns and asking some great questions. Voters will have their say on May 17.
