New Year wish is more hope for all
Vancouver Island News Group - North Island Gazette
January 16, 2008
Claire Trevena, MLA for the North Island.

The New Year is always a time for a fresh start, for resolutions to be made and plans for action.

Most people, if asked what they want in the coming year, would include a good education for their children, steady work at a good wage, a clean environment and good health care.

These are the foundations for a decent society, and we should expect them in the North Island and B.C. It is wrong that these are not realities for everyone.

My goal for 2008 is that communities in the North Island, and throughout B.C., have hope again. Hope for equality of opportunity for everyone.

I want to see child care available, accessible and affordable.

Thousands of families and the economy would benefit by people getting back to work while knowing their children are in good hands.

Stability in education would benefit our society, as would a funding system based on schools and community needs, not just student numbers.

For those who graduate, this should be the year to hope the apprenticeship system is rebuilt and a student grant system is considered to keep our best and brightest in our communities.

I want working people to get wages that let them live without worrying whether to pay the rent or buy groceries, without having to hold two or three jobs or rely on food banks.

I want women to have the hope of equal pay for equal work. And I would like those suffering a workplace injury to be entitled to fair compensation for life…