The things that Campbell will ignore a year from now
Vancouver Sun
May 13, 2008
Editorial By: Jim Sinclair, president of the B.C. Federation of Labour

Thanks to fixed date elections, we know British Columbians will head to the polls one year less a day from now.

We also know the Campbell government will spend millions of taxpayer dollars, supplemented by millions of dollars from corporate donors, in an attempt to convince voters that the Liberals deserve full credit for the "booming economy."

They'll suggest this is some sort of golden age of their making and conveniently ignore the influence of high commodity prices, low interest rates and migration.

That is not all they will ignore.

They'll ignore census data that show British Columbia's rich getting richer, our poor getting poorer and the middle class barely hanging on.

The truth is, life is tougher for the vast majority trying to find affordable housing, education, child care or a decent-paying job….

The Campbell government will focus instead on a new roof for BC Place. B.C.'s poverty rates are the worst in the country and have gotten worse during Campbell's two terms in office….

The government will ignore the crisis in child care and pretend it's someone else's problem to fix.

Parents, grandparents, teachers and business leaders know that quality early childhood education is key to our well-being as a society. All studies show that the benefits and savings far surpass the initial investment….

With 12 months to go until the next election, British Columbians will be bombarded with good-news announcements as the government tries to polish its record.

This government needs to be held accountable for the people and communities that have been left behind, not the "booming economy" its media barrage will be trumpeting….