Shirley Bond, Liberals
Question 1: Why should young people able to vote for the first time in this election support you and your party?
Voting for the first time is exciting and important. Our government has demonstrated that with strong fiscal management and a focus on diversifying the economy we can afford to invest in important programs and services.
We believe the most important thing we can do for young people today is ensure they can get a job and that they have the skills needed to participate in the workforce.
Our priority is to have the lowest tax burden possible to allow young people to plan and save for the future. We want young people to see B.C as the place to live, work and raise a family.
Question 2: What are the major issues in education in your electoral district and what is your plan to address those concerns?
Declining enrolment has been an issue in my electoral district and beyond.
Issues include teacher recruitment and retention, the funding formula, course options in rural schools, class size and class composition.
We have committed to a complete review of the funding formula with a focus on rural schools, allocated $9 million for the Rural Education Enhancement Fund and we will reconstitute the Rural Advisory Council. We will provide $5 million for teacher retention programs and establish a student-teacher loan forgiveness program for rural districts. We are working with the BCTF to implement the agreement on class size and composition.
Question 3: What are the major issues affecting the aboriginal residents of your electoral district and what is your plan to address those concerns?
With British Columbia facing almost a million job openings by 2025, we need to ensure that we are increasing the number of aboriginal people in the workforce.
We have increased training and educational opportunities to support aboriginal people acquiring the skills needed to be successful in the job market.
We are also working to address the gaps in health and education outcomes including high school completion rates. We will implement the recommendations of Grand Chief Ed John related to First Nation child welfare and continue to work with the BCAFN on the First Nations Sustainable Economic Development Strategy.
Question 4: What are the major environmental issues affecting your electoral district and what is your plan to address those concerns?
My constituents are proud of the incredible region we live in.
Our priority is sustainable economic development, while at the same time protecting the environment.
We continue to deal with the impacts of the pine beetle and the emergence of the spruce beetle.
Also of concern is balancing recreational and industrial uses of the land base. We are committed to a balanced approach, including adding new protected areas and parks like the Ancient Forest. The B.C. Liberals will freeze the carbon tax until the rest of Canada joins us on a level playing field.
Question 5: What are the major health issues affecting your electoral district and what is your plan to address those concerns?
With aging infrastructure and growing regional demand for healthcare services an expansion to UHNBC in Prince George is critical. We have committed to a major expansion that includes a plan for cardiac care, mental health and addictions programs and new operating rooms. We will continue to invest in training health care professionals, including in-demand professions such as physiotherapists and speech therapists, provide funding to reduce surgical wait times for elective surgeries and support integrated community-based primary care services. We will explore expanded scope of practice with a focus on how to provide better access to health care in rural communities.
Question 6: What are the major economic issues affecting your electoral district and what is your plan to address those concerns?
As part of our Rural Economic Development Strategy we will work to grow and diversify the economy in rural BC. While British Columbia currently leads Canada in economic growth and job creation, we need to ensure that the benefits are felt across the entire province.
Through our Rural Dividend fund we will support rural communities as they develop and implement economic development strategies designed to foster job creation. We will pursue opportunities like the Valemount Glacier Development, expand aboriginal and adventure tourism and support local small businesses.
We will continue to "get to yes" on major projects.
