Here’s what’s coming, no matter what
T here are countless arguments about what to do and huge differences on how to do them. But the election campaign has revealed several changes that look as if they’re going to occur no matter what happens at the polls next Tuesday.
The contenders are closely aligned on some obvious general themes — create jobs, support high tech, improve education, fight the U.S. lumber duties. And there are some specific points where the B.C. Liberals, NDP and Greens are close to being on the same page.
Here are some developments you can almost count on, even before the votes are counted: • Ride-hailing is coming — All parties endorse what they call ride-sharing. (Journalistic style is to call it ride-hailing, because — what’s being shared?) The Greens embrace it wholeheartedly because it’s a high-visibility example of futuristic, new-tech thinking. Tap your phone and a ride shows up in no time. The party commits to facilitating ride-sharing, car-sharing and other “co-operative transportation initiatives.”
The Liberal government has been pushed to approve ride-hailing for several years but stalled while it grappled with the impact on the politically sensitive taxi industry. The Liberals finally committed to it a month before the start of the campaign. If they win, the big outfits, some of which have created huge controversies in other major cities with their business practices, will be setting up by December.
To placate the cabbies, the Liberals have promised $1 million to improve their dispatch systems, and limited the ride-hailing firms from traditional taxi stands. On the other side of the divide, they promised to abolish the Class 4 licence requirement, so there’s no higher standard for ride-hail operators to meet.
The NDP dithered on ride-hailing for a while, but the platform supports it — much more cautiously than the other two parties. There’s a vague promise to harness the benefits of ride-hailing to build on the taxi system. “We will create a level playing field … and make sure you can find a safe ride when you need it … when demand is highest.” Leader John Horgan said it wouldn’t be ready for December. • Fare rage will abate — B.C. Ferries fares jumped considerably over the past several years, to the point where coastal communities started a mutiny, of sorts. The three parties are assuring riders now it will be smoother sailing from here on.
After presiding over the fare increases, the Liberals finally capped hikes at under two per cent a year for at least three more years. The reelection platform promises a loyalty card that will ease costs for frequent users by 2020. In the meantime, there will be a tax deduction of 25 per cent of the annual cost of fares, which would return up to $250 to passengers. There’s even $1 million pledged to fix the much-cursed Wi-fi service, which bogs down under the crush of demand.
The NDP counters that pitch with promises to cut fares by 15 per cent on the smaller routes and to freeze all others while reviewing ferry cost structures. The party also promises to restore the free midweek passenger travel for seniors. B.C. Ferries started charging them half-fares in 2014. Greens promise to reconfigure B.C. Ferries as a Crown corporation under direct government control, and charge electric vehicles half-price. • More campsites — The Liberals count more than 300 new sites under their watch and have promised 1,900 more with a $26-million boost in park funding, which will include beefing up the number of park rangers. The NDP matches that, with a promise to ease the shortage that led to people being denied bookings. They pledge to catch up with current demand and put B.C. residents first in line for bookings. More rangers and conservation officers are also promised. The Greens say they’ve earmarked $28 million to improve facilities in parks. • Coding binge — The Liberals budgeted several million dollars to teach computer coding in schools and have established mandatory modules for Grades 6 to 9. The NDP is on side as well, promising supports to learn coding in the classroom and in afterschool programs. The Greens also support curriculum changes to modernize lessons.
Whatever win-loss variations emerge Tuesday night, these are some of the ideas that look likely to come to pass.