Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka was disappointed with the B.C. government’s performance through 2023, but happy with changes within BC United.
Shypitka said he has not seen much improvement in B.C. within the past year.
“As we work in the Legislature, we’re noticing what is essentially a crumbling of our economy and our social fabric in British Columbia right now,” said Shypitka. “We’re seeing some of the worst affordability issues anywhere in North America, whether it’s gas, groceries, housing or healthcare, everything is up and unreachable for a lot of people.”
Shypitka said the NDP government has not adequately helped the situation.
“The NDP have to be accountable to that in some way,” said Shypitka. “Their main platform issues were affordability, housing and the opioid epidemic. We’re seeing no results there.”
The party Shypitka is a member of, BC United, had some significant internal changes in 2023.
“We went from the BC Liberals to the BC United,” said Shypitka. “BC United came out with a new brand and a new name. We’re trying to get that message across that we are a standalone coalition here in British Columbia.”
The name was changed, in part, to avoid any misconception that the now BC United party had any affiliation with the federal Liberal party.
Shypitka said the party’s rebranding has gone well so far.
“BC United has been doing a lot of great things. We came out with the Better Is Possible Program, which addresses the healthcare issues we’re facing right now. It’s a $1.5 billion plan that we want to put forward if elected,” said Shypitka. “We also have a plan called Safe BC, which addresses the crime issues we’re seeing in B.C. and the decriminalization of hard drugs. We want to scrap that decriminalization pilot project. It’s been failing miserably.”
Shypitka is hopeful the 2024 provincial election will turn in favour for the BC United party.