After attending the local debate and watched the provincial leader’s debate, I have to say I am quite taken aback by much of what the Green Party stands for.
First, I had no idea the Green Party supported the Liberals in attacking unions. A union by definition is a non-profit group of people that pool their resources together to try to attain better wages and working conditions for themselves and their families. It makes sense that the Liberal party, who are funded by the very corporations these workers negotiate against, would attack them. After all, unions are trying to take money from corporations and distribute it to its workers.
Why the Greens Party’s leader attacked these groups of workers during the leadership debate is beyond me. Unions (groups of workers) have fought to ensure nurses, care aids, cleaners, teachers, electricians, grocery store workers etc., have good paying jobs so they can afford to buy homes and support the local economy. In an area like ours, where we don’t have a huge tax base, these jobs and families are important in keeping small business and our local economy vibrant. Attacking these workers is simply wrong.
The Green Party’s position on tolling highway and infrastructure improvements across the province is even more disturbing. If major work is needed on ferries, roads or bridges, the Green Party’s position is we should pay for those improvements through tolls. In this area that means tolling things like the Kootenay Lake ferry. We all know we need a new ferry in the next few years. Placing tolls on the ferry would have a significant negative impact on places like Riondel and the East Shore. These people and others need the ferry for day to day living. I believe we are a better province when we all contribute to these necessary improvements, not put it on the backs of a few.
There are other issues I heard and read that I also find disturbing. For example, their leader supporting the Liberal budgets that saw the wealthiest British Columbians get more while healthcare workers, teachers, homeless and the list goes on, are being attacked.
On May 9, think very carefully where you place your mark on the ballot. There is a lot at stake for this area and our province.
Stan Reese
Nelson