BC Chamber Public Affairs Update

In the run-up to and during the BC election on May 14, 2013, we will provide special editions of our Public Affairs Update. These reports will provide information on campaign developments, events, polling, media analyses and industry-specific information.

As premier, Clark has articulated a number of priorities. She has championed B.C.’s LNG potential, likening the resource to that of oil in Alberta. She has also advanced her “Jobs Plan” which incorporates specific commitments to skills training, attracting investment, trade and a balanced budget. More recently, her government has faced criticism over a strategy to attract ethno cultural voters.

Adrian Dix

Adrian Dix is the leader of the BC NDP. He was elected leader in April 2011. First elected as an MLA in 2005, Dix has served as the opposition critic for children and families and health. Prior to becoming party leader, Dix was chief of staff to former B.C. premier Glen Clark. Dix has also worked in the education sector.

Dix’s leadership of the NDP campaign will likely focus on change and presenting the BC NDP as a safe, pragmatic, and compassionate choice for British Columbians who want to see a “new direction”. Dix promises to run a positive campaign focused on a few priorities. NDP promises will include improving skills training, reasserting BC’s responsibility over environmental reviews, and reducing inequality.

Health Care

The provincial government has committed to increasing health spending by $2.4 billion over the next three years. Since 2001, it has invested $8 billion in health care capital projects.

Environment

The BC Liberals are supporters of the Pacific Carbon Trust and endeavor to tackle climate change. Among other initiatives, if elected the BC Liberals plan to freeze the carbon tax rate for five years.

Natural Resource Development

The BC Liberals are supportive of natural gas development in BC. The government has highlighted the need to develop the resource efficiently in order to remain competiive and obtain benefits. Regarding pipelines and heavy oil, the party introduced five conditions that would shape any provincial approval.

Health Care

The BC NDP will likely make health care a key priority, especially in regard to training doctors, nurses and other health care providers. The party will likely advocate that the budget’s 2.4 per cent increase in health spending is not a realistic target.Environment

Climate change may be a central component of environmental policy. The party will emphasize measures of environmental oversight, like increasing the powers of the environmental assessment office. The party committed to using carbon tax revenues on projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Natural Resources

The BC NDP would likely welcome LNG investment in the province, provided the province keeps greenhouse emissions n check. The party will likely reassert B.C.’s right to scrutinize oil and gas project proposals by opting out of equivalency agreements that the Liberals signed. The BC NDP has opted for made-in-B.C. environmental assessments.

Mike McDonald, the party’s election-campaign director, has stated publicly that the change is not related to lower approval ratings, and was instead designed to highlight the importance of team members and candidate recruitment.

The NDP began the week by launching an “attack ad” about themselves. People have come to expect these types of tactics from political parties during elections; however the intriguing nature of this ad was that it was a tongue-in-cheek exaggeration of attack ads generally and as such, a criticism of the practice, and potentially an antidote to BC Liberal ads.

The BC Liberals and their third-party supporters have been running attack ads against Dix and the NDP for several months. The focus of these ads has been to remind voters of the NDP’s fiscal record when they were in government during the 90’s. At this point in the campaign, it does not appear those ads have gained much public attention.

The main NDP initiative this week was a press conference during which Bruce Ralston, NDP finance critic, provided a critique of the government’s budget, including disclosure of some areas where the NDP would increase spending. The press conference also revealed that the NDP, should it form government, will undertake a general review of all government agencies and programs.

Despite leading in overall share of voice, the breakdown is closer on Twitter – with Clark generating 57 per cent, compared to 43 per cent for Dix.

This weekly report produced for the BC Chamber of Commerce by Fleishman-Hillard.  While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication as of the date of issue, events and government policies are subject to frequent change.  Therefore, the BC Chamber of Commerce and Fleishman-Hillard cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis on the information contained herein.