NDP promise one-time $1,000 recovery benefit

VANCOUVER -— The NDP has become the first party to release its platform in the B.C. election, promising direct payments to help people recover from the financial pain caused by COVID-19.

New Democrats promise a one-time $1,000 recovery benefit for families and $500 for individuals if they win the Oct. 24 election.

NDP Leader John Horgan said the party's platform unveiled in Vancouver on Tuesday builds on progress already underway during his government's 3 1/2 years in office.

Jas Johal, the B.C. Liberal incumbent candidate in Richmond-Queensborough, questioned why the NDP didn't provide the recovery benefit in March after all parties unanimously approved $5 billion for COVID19 response and recovery spending.

Green Leader Sonia Furstenau said her party directly petitioned the NDP on some of the items in the platform over the past three years, including removing PST from electric bicycles.

The Green party wants to see free child care for children under three and free early childhood education for three- and four-yearolds. Furstenau says their plan would also have financial support for stay-at-home parents of $350 a month.

She says taking care of a child needs to be recognized as a real job that counts as time in the workplace, not as a relaxing time out.

Furstenau says parents with young children in B.C. are facing tremendous pressure as costs skyrocket and household income stagnates.

The Green leader is also proposing that the government launch a consultation process with business and labour to explore a four-day work week, saying there are a number of tools the government can use to help employers shift to a shorter week.

She says the pandemic has reminded many people that they need to take time away from work to enjoy a better balance, to take care of their mental and physical health, and to look after their families.