At the national level, the federal parties are driving home family-friendly agendas aimed at providing financial relief, and that campaign is trickling down to the regional level in Northern B.C.
The Conservatives launched their campaign with a promise to allow families to split the first $50,000 of their incomes to lower their tax burden, although the measure wouldn't be introduced for four years when the deficit is forecast to be eliminated.
The Conservatives say as many as 1.8 million Canadian families can save an average of $1,300 a year, at a total cost of $2.5 billion.
Prince George-Peace River candidate Bob Zimmer, who is from Fort St. John, said the promised change would provide substantial tax relief for Northeastern B.C. families.
"This new tax cut will not only make the income tax system fairer for our families, but will also reduce their tax burden, helping parents cover the daily costs of raising their children," said Zimmer, who will be campaigning in Prince George this weekend.
Zimmer won a recent constituency race to replace long-time Prince George-Peace River MP Jay Hill who retired last year.
Zimmer would be considered the front runner based on the past voting history of the riding. Conservative parties -- including Reform and the Canadian Alliance -- have ruled the riding for four decades.
The last time the riding was won by another party was in 1968 by a Liberal candidate when the party swept to power under Pierre Trudeau.
Acknowledging the fight seems like an uphill battle, Prince George-Peace River Liberal candidate Ben Levine said he believes it is possible to unseat the Conservatives.
As part of its campaign focused on families, the Liberals rolled out a $1-billion education program on Tuesday.
Called Canadian Learning Passport, it would offer $4,000 in tax-free grants to every high school student who chooses to go to university or college. The grant would increase to $6,000 for low-income students over their four years of study.
The initiative would be introduced by 2012 and paid for by rolling back corporate tax cuts.
Levine said that's the difference between the Conservatives and Liberals -- the Liberals would deliver benefits immediately not four years from now.
"We have a concrete plan to help students get an education, which will help make our country more competitive globally and help the economy," he said.
The NDP started their campaign with an attack on the harmonized sales tax, saying Prime Minister Harper's Conservative were responsible for the tax being implemented in British Columbia.
Prince George-Peace River candidate Lois Boone said her campaign, in part, will be focused on making life more affordable for northerners.
"The price of everyday essentials like home heating, gas and groceries has been going up, and the Harper Conservatives didn't help when they enacted the HST," said Boone.
On Tuesday, NDP leader Jack Layton added to his party's platform with a promise of a cap on the interest rate on credit cards at five per cent over prime.
UNBC political scientist Jason Morris said the early days of the federal campaign have been earmarked by family-chequebook style announcements aimed carefully at specific interests to shore up votes. He questioned whether that strategy comes at the expense of a bigger vision for the country, for example, on health care.
He noted that the 10-year agreements on health-care funding transfers to the provinces expires in 2014, yet there has been little discussion on the serious subject.
"What could be a bigger issue?" asked Morris.
Declared candidates in Northern B.C. ridings:
Prince George-Peace River
NDP - Lois Boone
Green - Hilary Crowley
Liberal - Ben Levine
Conservative - Bob Zimmer
Cariboo-Prince George
Incumbent Conservative - Dick Harris
Green - Heidi Redl
Skeena-Bulkley Valley
Green - Roger Benham
xNDP - Nathan Cullen
Conservative - Clay Harmon
Christian Heritage Party - Rod Taylor
