Here is the last of our election grid question and answers. Candidates were limited in their responses by a word count.
B.C. Conservative candidate Ian McLeod did not supply answers.
To see all our election coverage in one place, go to nsnews.com and click on 'B.C. Election.'
JON JOHNSON INDEPENDENT
YOUR AGE?
39
DO YOU LIVE IN THE RIDING?
Yes
FOR HOW LONG?
10 years
YOUR CAMPAIGN BUDGET?
Credit card
INCREASED FILM TAX CREDITS? GOOD OR BAD?
Yes. People in the province need to know how beneficial film production is to local communities.
Please visit savebcfilm.ca.
DO YOU FAVOUR RETAINING THE CARBON TAX?
Skeptical of the benefits of these schemes and would like to see hard proof of impact locally before endorsing.
DO YOU FAVOUR TOLLS/ROAD-PRICING OR HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND INCREASED TRANSIT?
Transit funding should be augmented by transit users, with subsidies available to students, seniors and low-income residents.
WOULD YOU LEGALIZE OR DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA OR CONTINUE PROHIBITION?
Adults can decide for themselves what plants to consume. The laws are currently not aligned with this basic human right.
BALANCED BUDGET: WHEN AND HOW?
The elected WVSS MLA, will have no say in policy decisions as a backbencher. Backbenchers are told by their party to present the platform (including budget) to their riding. Independents currently do not have enough influence to make a difference.
IS INCREASED PRIVATIZATION PART OF CONTROLLING HEALTH COSTS?
Private (for profit) I'm OK with as long as there is no impact whatsoever on continued investment in our Canadian public healthcare system.
OIL PIPELINES AND OIL TANKERS: PROVINCIAL WEALTH OR AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN?
Above all business interests, we must protect our environment for future generations of humans and wildlife.
ANA SANTOS NDP
YOUR AGE?
42
DO YOU LIVE IN THE RIDING?
Yes
FOR HOW LONG?
Nine years
YOUR CAMPAIGN BUDGET?
INCREASED FILM TAX CREDITS? GOOD OR BAD?
Good. The NDP have made commitments in terms of tax credits, recognizing the film industry as a major economic driver.
DO YOU FAVOUR RETAINING THE CARBON TAX?
Yes to retaining it, expanding it to oil and gas operations, and spending revenues on green initiatives like public transit.
DO YOU FAVOUR TOLLS/ROAD-PRICING OR HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND INCREASED TRANSIT?
NDP proposes using the carbon tax to fund green infrastructure projects. This will provide steady revenue to help improve transit.
WOULD YOU LEGALIZE OR DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA OR CONTINUE PROHIBITION?
It's a federal issue, but I am personally in favour of decriminalizing it.
BALANCED BUDGET: WHEN AND HOW?
The NDP will inherit a tough fiscal situation, hence our modest platform. We'll aim to balance the budget each year, but we're committed to balancing the budget over the course of the business cycle.
IS INCREASED PRIVATIZATION PART OF CONTROLLING HEALTH COSTS?
Public health care is the pride of Canadians. B.C. NDP proposes cost-controlling measures; improving home care, restoring Therapeutic Initiative's role as B.C.'s drug watchdog, etc.
OIL PIPELINES AND OIL TANKERS: PROVINCIAL WEALTH OR AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN?
As a volunteer helping Alaska government officials with post Exxon Valdez oil spill studies on lingering effects, I have a first-hand account of the dangers that come with oil supertankers.
JORDAN STURDY LIBERAL
YOUR AGE?
50
DO YOU LIVE IN THE RIDING?
Yes
FOR HOW LONG?
25 years
YOUR CAMPAIGN BUDGET?
TBD: $60,000
INCREASED FILM TAX CREDITS? GOOD OR BAD?
After years of supporting this industry, we need to continue to take steps to keep it competitive with other jurisdictions.
DO YOU FAVOUR RETAINING THE CARBON TAX?
B.C. should be proud to be a carbon tax leader in North America and encourage other jurisdictions to catch up.
DO YOU FAVOUR TOLLS/ROAD-PRICING OR HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND INCREASED TRANSIT?
I support the Mayors Council working on regional long-term solutions with an augmented authority to determine the priorities and funding strategies needed for the increased public transit that Lower Mainland residents require.
WOULD YOU LEGALIZE OR DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA OR CONTINUE PROHIBITION?
B.C. should push for marijuana to be treated like alcohol - legalized and taxed; the war on drugs is not succeeding.
BALANCED BUDGET: WHEN AND HOW?
B.C. has forecast a balanced budget this year; regularly balanced operational budgets support better credit agency ratings, decreased interest rates, increased savings and investment, shrink trade deficits and help the economy grow faster over a longer period of time.
IS INCREASED PRIVATIZATION PART OF CONTROLLING HEALTH COSTS?
We already have some privatization within the system and we can learn from other successful jurisdictions on what mix best supports access to public health care.
OIL PIPELINES AND OIL TANKERS: PROVINCIAL WEALTH OR AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN?
Natural resources have supported the B.C. economy and the services we rely on for decades. We need to use technology to ensure highest safety standards to allow resource extraction to proceed in a sustainable fashion.
RICHARD WARRINGTON GREEN PARTY
YOUR AGE?
55
DO YOU LIVE IN THE RIDING?
Yes
FOR HOW LONG?
10 months
YOUR CAMPAIGN BUDGET?
$3,000
INCREASED FILM TAX CREDITS? GOOD OR BAD?
A tough call that the Green Party is still discussing.
My personal position is no increase.
DO YOU FAVOUR RETAINING THE CARBON TAX?
Yes. We will increase carbon tax for all industries and remove exemptions to lower emissions.
DO YOU FAVOUR TOLLS/ROAD-PRICING OR HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND INCREASED TRANSIT?
We favour road-, congestion-and parking-pricing to fund increased transit that serves people. We will use some of the increased carbon tax revenue to fund transportation alternatives.
WOULD YOU LEGALIZE OR DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA OR CONTINUE PROHIBITION?
Green Party will decriminalize and regulate as a health issue not a criminal one.
BALANCED BUDGET: WHEN AND HOW?
We are committed to long-term balance and sustainability, without undue hardship on communities and individuals, through tax allocation, and green incentives and investment to be the global frontrunner in green technology.
IS INCREASED PRIVATIZATION PART OF CONTROLLING HEALTH COSTS?
No. We will implement prevention and health promotion to control costs while committing to the needs of the sick and vulnerable.
OIL PIPELINES AND OIL TANKERS: PROVINCIAL WEALTH OR AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN?
We will run out of, and therefore need to wean off, fossil fuels. We can be a global leader in clean, green technology and already have a big enough oil cleanup ahead of us.
