CBC News had story regarding new NDP leader Adrian Dix. The following are a few clips from that story. You can also click HERE for the full story.
"You bet we're going to holding them to account. That's our job as opposition," said Dix.
Dix wasted no time in attacking Clark, who he says made life worse for British Columbian children while she was minister in the children and families and education portfolios.
But he said he thinks it is important that HST referendum go ahead before any general election is called.
During his leadership campaign Dix promised to roll back corporate tax cuts, to restore a minimum tax on banks and to increase support for students and seniors, if elected.
"You're going to see a positive campaign that's going to get people who didn't vote in the last election to vote. I think that's how you do it," he said.
SFU Political Science professor Doug McArthur says while each leader (Dix / Clark) has their own ideological bent, they also share some significant similarities. Both are about change, and ultimately both are pragmatists, he says.
"So, we are going to see not a radical division left and right, but we are going to see a bit of a division around visions of the future and relationships with some people and groups," said McArthur.
McArthur says he knows from his past government experience that Dix is a fiscal conservative who understands his social agenda will carry a cost, a cost he sees being recovered by reversing corporate tax cuts.
But as for being an extreme left-winger, McArthur says the label doesn't fit for Dix, in his estimation.
"I think this has been a spin by the Liberals — an exaggeration," he said.
McArthur says what B.C. does have is two activist politicians who aren't afraid to mix it up with lively public debate.
"We may see a lot of fairly honest, open debate here between the two of them about the directions they want to go. It's going to be I think a more active political time and they will both be feisty and that maybe good for B.C. politics," said McArthur.
If you are wondering about the platform and policies Adrian Dix had as a candidate to lead the BC NDP, the following was posted on his campaign website as of Monday afternoon (April 18th)
The Economy: Focus on Innovation, Opportunity and Stability
For most British Columbians, the economy comes down to some basic factors: a decent paying job, affordability, and future opportunities for them and their families. The BC Liberal’s economic record can be summarized in a few short phrases: growth slow, employment uncertain, a tax shift from big business onto ordinary people, and no plans for the future.. That has to change.
A new relationship with business
I am committed to work respectfully with business to make our economy grow in a sustainable way, with benefits for all British Columbians and all regions, not just a lucky few. I believe we should learn from the work of former NDP Premier Mike Harcourt to increase productivity and innovation through cooperation with business based on fairness, certainty and dialogue.
Eliminate the HST and rebalance corporate taxes
BC’s small businesses have been badly hurt by the HST. I am committed to eliminating the HST, which helps big businesses at the expense of ordinary consumers and the small business sectors.
I have committed to the roll back of recent cuts in corporate income taxes for large corporations, in order to restore balance to the tax system and fairness for ordinary people. In recent years, the Liberals have cut the share of overall revenues paid by corporations substantially and increased the share paid by individuals and families. I will end that pattern of tax shifting.
Investing in our future
Our province needs an economic strategy that supports BC’s rural and resource communities and ends the Liberals’ one-sided exploitation of natural resources. At the same time, we must stimulate the emerging sectors of our economy that can increase new economic opportunities. Under my leadership, BC will maintain a competitive tax structure while investing in our human resources – the hundreds of thousands of talented young women and men in our province – whose skills and ability can make us a global economic force.
BC has the worst record in the country on both private and public investment in research and development. Even more critically, I will work with key economic sectors – clean and green technologies, film and tourism, agriculture and food, aviation, medical technology, and the natural resources sectors and many others – to build on their successes and to increase value-added opportunities.
A Commitment To Social Justice
I’m committed to reducing the growing inequality in our society. The rich are getting richer while the vast majority of British Columbians are working harder than ever just to stand still. It’s very simple – I believe in equality. That means making sure that working families and middle income earners come first, not last in public policies. It means addressing outstanding issues on aboriginal rights and title through strong relationships and lasting agreements with First Nations.
In a province as rich as BC, it is unacceptable that we have no poverty reduction plan. Yet under the BC Liberals, our province has had the worst child poverty record for seven straight years. I’m committed to concrete action to ensure that all British Columbians enjoy the benefits of their hard work and the opportunities our rich province can offer.
Fairness in the economy and employment standards with teeth
I’m committed to simple changes to help working and middle class families achieve fairness: a $10 minimum wage, real enforcement of employment standards, and a commitment to ensure real protection for tenants. I support the right to free collective bargaining and I proudly acknowledge the positive contribution unions make to improve the lives of working people.
Investments in health, education, housing and child care
I’m committed to ensuring adequate funding for our public health and education systems. Those investments expand equality and opportunity. Homelessness is an increasing crisis in communities large and small. I believe it’s time for BC to take the lead in affordable housing with a comprehensive program that will generate social benefits and new jobs. Above all, I want to reduce the burden of poverty imposed on our children by the BC Liberals. That means finding the resources to create a provincial child care system.
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Climate change is the fundamental environmental challenge of our generation. The BC Liberals have failed to deliver a balanced, credible program, despite the clear threat – like the devastation caused by the mountain pine beetle – that climate change poses to our province. It is time for a more comprehensive approach that involves industries and communities so as to maximize the economic and social gains that can be achieved with innovative and practical solutions to the threat of climate change.
A carbon tax solution
I believe the carbon tax should support climate change solutions. We need major investments in all regions in public transit, efficient freight movement and green infrastructure to reduce our greenhouse gases. Above all, we need to support the innovation and investment necessary to grow a green economy and sustainable communities, resilient in the face of climate change. The need for this investment, utilizing carbon tax revenues, is one of the reasons I have committed to rolling back recent cuts in corporate income taxes.
Protecting the environment
I’m committing to build on the legacy of previous NDP governments that vastly expanded our park system, imposed tougher pollution standards and created new environmental protection policies. That means more investment in our existing park system and actions to protect endangered species and critical ecosystems, as well as new support to local governments to invest in sustainability where people live – in villages, towns and cities across BC.
A green economy
We need to build on visionary NDP initiatives like the Agricultural Land Reserve and the land use decisions of the 1990s to increase jobs and the strength of our agricultural sector, to leverage the economic benefits of our new parks, and to ensure sustainable resource management. It’s time to restore the link between resource use and jobs through initiatives such as the Columbia Basin Trust and restrictions on raw log exports. And investments in green infrastructure, from transit to renewable energy to energy-efficient buildings must be expanded to address climate pollution and to create jobs.
Most people say the NDP will be taking a hard turn back to the left under the leadership of Adrian Dix. Others like SFU Political Science professor Doug McArthur, say that will not be the case.
My bets on a left hand turn with the NDP – and who knows what direction that will send the Liberals. And that leaves John Cummins and the BC Conservatives to take the field on the center-right.
These are interesting days we are living in here in BC. In Kamloops
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