In the first visit to Prince George by an NDP leadership candidate, Adrian Dix said restoring gaming grants to organizations like the Hart Pioneer Centre should be a priority in the upcoming provincial budget.
Considered a frontrunner among the six NDP leadership hopefuls, Dix called for gaming grants to be restored to the 2008 level of $156 million.
Hart Pioneer Centre representatives in Prince George said two weeks ago they fear they may have to close their doors because gaming funds they received from the B.C. government have been cut to zero. The gaming funding has accounted for about one-third of the Hart Centre's $180,000 operating budget.
"We've seen the government really renege on its commitment to community groups across B.C.," Dix told The Citizen on Wednesday.
"One of the things I'm focusing on here is just what that withdrawal of community services means for seniors, means for arts groups, for others, that play a crucial role in making this community the place that it is," he said.
Last week, Dix called for the last three rounds of Liberal corporate tax cuts to be rolled back in order to help restore services and funding to middle-class families and seniors.
The two-term Vancouver-Kingsway MLA said he is not calling for radical change on the corporate tax front, but he is calling for fairness.
Dix said rolling back the tax cuts -- valued at $268 million this year, and about $330 million the next fiscal year -- would still leave British Columbia with a competitive tax regime.
The corporate tax cuts are being paid for by middle-income families paying higher Medical Services Plan premiums and by seniors paying higher long-term care fees, he said.
"I think our tax rates have to be competitive," said Dix.
"But I think it's wrong to force middle income people to subsidize a further tax cut at this time when we have real investments we need to make in communities such as Prince George in transit, in schools, in public health and children and families."
Dix has also said he would repeal the harmonized sales tax and return the province to its former tax system.
Dix was the chief of staff for former-premier Glen Clark, as well as the executive director of Canadian Parents for French.
Other candidates include NDP MLAs Mike Farnworth, John Horgan, Harry Lali and Nicholas Simons. Pot activist Dana Larsen is also in the race which will be decided April 17.
The NDP leadership contest became necessary after leader Carole James stepped down in the face of a revolt from one third of her caucus.
Dix said he expects Prince George to be a key battle ground in the next election, as the NDP have only won elections in 1972, 1991 and 1996 when they won Prince George ridings.
B.C. has fixed elections dates with the next vote set for May 2013. However, an election could come earlier if Liberals elect Christy Clark as their new leader. Clark has said she might call an earlier election.
Lali is in Prince George Thursday and Friday.
The leadership candidates will also be in Prince George for an evening public debate on April 4 at the Coast Inn of the North.
