‘In defense of the average man’: Rustad outlines BC Conservative politics

British Columbia Conservative Party leader John Rustad promised Victoria’s business audience “common sense” solutions, including far-reaching tax cuts, while maintaining his strongest criticism of Premier David Eby’s government until the very end.

However, Rustad largely focused on his right-wing rivals – BC United under Kevin Falcon.

Rustad’s appearance before the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday (June 19) came nearly two weeks after Falcon’s appearance to the same group. While Falcon questioned the quality of the Conservative candidates, Rustad never mentioned BC United. The only mention of BC United came in response to a question about whether the rivals would cooperate in the event of a minority government. Rustad’s answer – like Falcon’s – was affirmative.

“We have one goal and one goal only: to replace David Eby and his radical government policies” – Rustad. “I will certainly be contacting (BC United) to bring down…the NDP government as soon as possible.”

Rustad passed up the opportunity to brag about the recent spate of politicians switching allegiance to their party. Instead, he presented policy proposals on a range of issues, some detailed, others still requiring further refinement.

Rustad promised that his government would improve B.C.’s productivity and attractiveness to investors by reducing permitting and corporate tax times.

“We will be very aggressive on taxes,” he said.

He also pointed to Europe’s combination of public and private health care as models worth emulating when comparing BC’s system with North Korea’s. He also floated the idea of ​​exploring “other options” for providing passenger-only ferry services to smaller islands, as well as easing traffic congestion in metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria.

Rustad promised to eliminate regulations banning short-term rentals. He noted that the province could order public sector workers to return to their offices. He generally supported plans for rail service on Vancouver Island, noting that their current absence wastes a lot of potential. He also received warm applause when he said he was “extremely disappointed in the level of anti-Semitism” on BC’s post-secondary campuses.

Rustad said the lack of child care is keeping people from working, but immediately questioned whether $10-a-day child care for everyone is realistic.

“So I think there needs to be innovation in child care,” he said. “In particular, we need to strengthen the position of the private sector.”

He admitted that his party’s policy still requires refinement and added that it would try to be “very innovative.”

Rustad has again vowed to end the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers and fire B.C.’s public health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. He said one or two health care workers banned from working could make a difference in smaller communities.

He said his government would end both safe supply programs and decriminalization. He blamed decriminalization for the decline in public safety in British Columbia, which hurts businesses. He also promised additional investments to help people struggling with addiction and homelessness, but also raised the possibility of “involuntary recovery”: keeping people struggling with addiction back on the streets.

“There is a risk of them harming themselves,” he said. “Frankly, as a society we have to make difficult choices in trying to make sure that we are doing the right thing for society,” he said.

Rustad acknowledged that such a move would pose a constitutional challenge, but said BC must be prepared to invoke the clause regardless.

Rustad also said B.C. should seek the same powers as Quebec when it comes to controlling immigration to help fill gaps in the labor market. He also repeated his promise to eliminate the carbon tax.

“It won’t change the weather,” he said.

He also repeated familiar calls for BCs to reduce their dependence on food imports and said Britons need to have a “serious” discussion about adding nuclear power to BC’s energy mix.

“I can say all of these things, whether it’s about water, food or energy, dealing with policies like addiction, primary health care, all of that is just a reflection of who we are as a Conservative Party that just stands for the average, everyday person and making sure that people are at the center of everything,” he said.

Rustad later compared this philosophy to Eby calling him a “socialist” who believes in “big government” in all aspects of life. “He is also an authoritarian who has no respect for democracy.”

Rustad pointed to the transformation of Surrey Police and the local government’s “nullification” of housing policy.