New Year Same NDP

VICTORIA, B.C.:  Interim Leader of the Conservative Caucus Trevor Halford says Premier David Eby’s latest media availability confirms his government has lost touch with the issues facing British Columbian families.

Eby is still talking about “good jobs” and “economic leadership” while British Columbians continue to face rising costs, rampant drug use disorder, and an economy weakened by years of uncertainty and NDP mismanagement.

“British Columbians are suffering under David Eby’s NDP and his most recent comments are a clear indication he’s lost touch on what’s most important for B.C families” said Halford. “We’ve seen it in decisions to block major economic opportunities like a North Coast pipeline, neglecting our backbone forestry sector, in allowing drug decriminalization to continue long after the government admitted it wasn’t working – eroding public safety and downtown communities, and in mishandling DRIPA in ways that have created uncertainty for workers, businesses, Indigenous partners, and private property owners.

Halford said the Premier’s comments underscore a widening gap between rhetoric and reality.

“After nine years, British Columbians know the pattern,” Halford said. “The NDP announces strategies, introduces red tape, cuts off debate, and promises urgency, then leaves communities stuck with delays, legal confusion, and economic fallout, only acts once the damage is done and reversal is harder than ever.”

Halford said British Columbians deserve leadership that is grounded in common-sense.

“New year or not, this government is still making the same mistakes,” Halford said. “British Columbia needs certainty, accountability, and a government that learns before people get hurt, not after.”

Critic Responses:

Gavin Dew, Critic for Jobs, Economic Development, Innovation & AI:Response on pipelines and energy.

“Jobs in Canada’s energy sector are dangerously dependent on one buyer, one market, and one set of pipeline and refinery configurations. David Eby’s years of obstructionism and regulatory uncertainty have made that vulnerability worse, putting thousands of jobs and billions in capital investment at risk. B.C. can’t keep acting like a bystander while workers and communities pay the price.”

Peter Milobar, Critic for Finance:Response on Affordability.“Families are struggling with affordability and economic uncertainty, while the province faces serious financial pressure. Instead of stability and discipline, the NDP keeps producing uncertainty that drives investment away and makes life harder for British Columbians.”

Teresa Wat, Critic for Trade, Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism:Response to Trade.“Trade diversification only works if B.C. is credible at home. Investors and global partners look for certainty, timelines, and rule-of-law decision-making. When government creates confusion and delays domestically, every trade pitch abroad is undermined.”

Claire Rattée, Critic for Mental Health, Addictions & Housing Supports:Response to drug decriminalization“The government now admits its ideological decriminalization experiment didn’t work, but that admission came after years of denial, harm, and community suffering. British Columbians deserve accountability and a clear path forward focused on treatment, recovery, and public safety, not more hesitation and harmful test experiments.”