If you live outside province you likely haven't heard much about our new government, but here in British Columbia changes are happening fast, and you should know about them.
From 2001 until May of last year, British Columbia was ruled by a right-wing coalition calling itself the British Columbia Liberal Party, which is not the same as the federal Liberal Party. Under their watch, taxes were cut, services were cut, and controls removed. The result has been increased wealth for the wealthy and increased poverty for the poor. Despite spectacular riches, British Columbia can now boast the highest rates of poverty, homelessness, and opioid addiction in Canada.
So, in May of last year, we finally kicked the scoundrels out, and elected (by a hairsbreadth) a New Democratic government, headed by John Horgan, who are now addressing the host of huge problems and challenges that they have inherited, to the delight of those on the left and dismay to the right.
Horgan is a working-class guy who, as opposition leader, did a remarkable job healing his party's self-inflicted wounds, while holding the government's feet to the fire. You can read a bit about him here.
In office, the Horgan government has wasted no time in making changes. Here are a few:
* B.C., despite an abundance of wealth, currently has one of the highest rates of poverty in Canada. To quote the government, "Too many people are struggling to make ends meet, earn a living wage, or find and keep affordable housing. Read the rest
