ELECTION – NDP, Liberals claim victory in first leaders’ debate of campaign

Not surprisingly, the Liberals and NDP both claimed victory in a radio debate today (April 20, 2017) on News 1130 at the Coast. BC NDP director Raj Sihota said leader John Horgan’s “commitment to make life more affordable and strengthen the services people count on really came through” during the debate. “He was passionate, spirited, and stood up for the people of B.C.,” she said. The Liberals, on the other hand, posted a response on their website saying “John Horgan revealed his character by constantly interrupting and attacking the premier personally and making up new policy planks on the fly.”

…. Kamloops NDP candidates Nancy Bepple and Barb Nederpel held a media conference today to re-announce the party’s promise to provide interest-free loans and a $1,000 completion grant for post-secondary students. The interest-free proposal includes current B.C. student loans, while the $1,000 grant would be for graduates of college, university and skilled trades programs to help pay down debt. An NDP government would invest $100 million to expand technology related post-secondary programs and invest in talent in information and communications, digital media and entertainment, life sciences and health, clean-tech, IT and engineering. Fees for Adult Basic Education and ESL would be eliminated, and a cap maintained on tuition fees at colleges and universities.

…. Jessica Bradshaw, the last-minute entry into the Kamloops-South Thompson campaign, said today she decided to get involved with the Libertarian Party because of the need for more choices. “The Libertarian Party stands for people’s​ rights. Giving the community more choice and more control over their own lives, by cutting back government intrusion on our lives and unnecessary regulations being forced upon us,” she told ArmchairMayor.ca. “Our platform is to reduce income taxes, by cutting away at the unnecessary spending in government. It’s about the people having a say in where their tax dollars are going because after all, it is, indeed, their hard-earned money.”