Editorial: Liberals offer cautious course
TIMES COLONIST
APRIL 17, 2009

Political platforms are notoriously shaky structures, with fine words and vague commitments hiding a makeshift, rickety assemblage built to last until just after election day.

Still, they offer a starting point for assessing the directions of the parties, both in terms of policies and the approach they are taking to the campaign.

The B.C. Liberals' platform, released this week, takes some 50 pages to offer few new commitments. The focus, instead, is on highlighting the government's record over the last eight years and arguing that a New Democratic victory would bring ruination.

It's not surprising that the party in power, especially in a weak economy, would have few new major commitments. The budget was only introduced two months ago and set out the party's course and priorities. Still, the stay-the-course approach offers little to address some of the pressing issues facing the province, and this region.

Basically, the Liberal platform promises voters more of the same. If anything, it suggests a third Liberal term would look more like the party's first four years in power than the last four. The first three of the platform's "Six Pillars for a Strong B.C." stress stability and leadership, curbing government spending and lowering costs for business. Commitments to improve and protect public services and invest in jobs come lower down the list. (The complete platform is online at bcliberals.com.)

That caution remains a concern. The platform stresses the need for the government to live within its means. That commitment will result in spending cuts to 11 of 20 ministries under the Liberal plan, even with an optimistic view of the revenues likely over the next three years. Given the pledge to run deficits for just two years -- backed by legislation -- sharper spending cuts are a real possibility.

Government spending will still increase an average 2.2 per cent, with most of the money going to health care. That is not enough, according to the Finance Ministry's projections, to keep up with the impact of inflation and population growth.

And perhaps not enough to address current issues in education, health care and social services. The platform contains no significant initiatives to address the needs of children and families, for example. Proposals for kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds have been shelved, although the Liberals have committed to bring in optional full-day kindergarten for five-year-olds. There is a welcome promise of a curriculum review and increased emphasis on personal health and financial planning….

There are no new commitments on homelessness …

The Liberal platform essentially pledges to continue on the same course. …