Political Science 101 -- and beyond
Vancouver Sun
December 4, 2008
Letters By: Melodie Corrigall

For the fifth straight year, B.C. has the highest child-poverty rate in Canada, thanks largely to the policies of Premier Gordon Campbell and Prime Minister Harper. The struggles of our children and families don't make the front page, but a creative coalition of political parties that gained the majority of seats and the popular vote is awarded a headline suggesting this province will be shut out if such a solution succeeds.

In fact, the deal focuses on issues of great concern to B.C., such as housing construction and retrofits, skills training programs, acceleration of investments and spending on infrastructure, clean energy projects, immigration reform, child benefits and a child care program, if federal money is available.

During the recent TV debates, it was obvious that the other parties … agreed on the importance of supporting families and closing the ever-widening gap between the rich and poor. …

Together the three opposition parties have the most votes and the most seats in Parliament. They better represent the wishes of the Canadian people than does the minority Conservative government.

When a crisis such as the present financial one arrives, it's time to come up with creative solutions. Hats off to the three leaders for having the courage and imagination to do so. As for Gilles Duceppe, coming from a province that has progressive social programs, he knows what the federal government has to do to support such programs.

… We, too, can have a progressive government that addresses the needs of families, seniors and forgotten children. If ever there was a need to do it, it's now.