Gary Coons

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA – An independent report released Friday has found that since the Liberals privatized B.C. Ferries, the corporation has lost accountability, costs have increased, and executive pay has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, the New Democrats said today.

“This report clearly spells out what New Democrats have been saying all along,” said New Democrat deputy transportation critic Gary Coons. “Costs have skyrocketed but instead of protecting the public interest, the B.C. Liberals have sat by as their hand-picked ferries board award themselves pay raise after pay raise.” Read the rest of this entry →

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA— The B.C. Liberals’ decision to ram through legislation forcing an imposed contract on ambulance paramedics is an admission of their failure to manage the health care system, New Democrat leader Carole James said today.

“The B.C. Liberals could have appointed an independent arbitrator and settled the paramedics’ strike months ago. Instead, they ignored the issue and refused to listen to ambulance workers’ concerns,” said James. Read the rest of this entry →

For Immediate Release

Nov. 4, 2009

VICTORIA— Today in question period the B.C. Liberal Environment Minister shrugged the fact that the grizzly bear population of the Great Bear Rainforest is plummeting when he was questioned by New Democrat MLA Gary Coons. Read the rest of this entry →

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA – Community groups have every right to be worried that the B.C. Liberals will use a potential shake-up of community gaming grants as an excuse to slash funding for charities even further, the New Democrats said today. Read the rest of this entry →

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA – The escape of 40,000 Atlantic salmon from a fish farm in the Broughton Archipelago highlights the B.C. Liberals’ failure to protect wild salmon stocks, say the New Democrats. Read the rest of this entry →

RURAL TOURISM HIT HARD

VICTORIA – “The B.C. Liberals’ HST betrayal could mean 10,000 tourism jobs lost and up to $545 million in revenue lost,” said New Democrat tourism critic Spencer Herbert.‪ Read the rest of this entry →

Will MLAs be taking a free ride to the Games?

Prince Rupert– British Columbians have the right to know if they will be footing the bill for BC Liberal MLAs to watch coveted Olympic events from a luxury suite during the Games, the New Democrats said today. Read the rest of this entry →

VICTORIA – The BC Liberals’ decision to cut the Infant Development Program will hurt families who have children with disabilities, especially those living in First Nations communities and in remote areas said New Democrat Gary Coons today. Read the rest of this entry →

For Immediate Release

Sept. 22, 2009

VICTORIA— The B.C. Liberals’ post-election renewed push to lift the ban on coastal oil drilling shows their environmental promises during the campaign were nothing more than hot air, say New Democrats.

“It’s environmental hypocrisy for the B.C. Liberals to boost dirty coastal drilling while claiming that that they care about the environment,” said North Coast MLA Gary Coons. “The B.C. Liberals are so out of touch with those on the coast and with the will of the people. They continue their tar sands mentality by putting our coastal waters at jeopardy by promoting offshore oil and gas and planning to run supertankers through the treacherous waters of the inside passage.” Read the rest of this entry →

For Immediate Release

September 7, 2009

VANCOUVER— In an effort to cover up their pre-election budget deception, the B.C. Liberals have created chaos and confusion for thousands of community groups across the province that depend on gaming grants, New Democrat housing and social development critic Shane Simpson says. 

“If the B.C. Liberals really cared about community groups, they would not have thrown these organizations into chaos with last minute cuts just to cover up for the government’s budget lies,” said Simpson. “Community groups, from arts organizations to animal rescue groups,  are angry that these massive changes were made without warning or consultation.”  Read the rest of this entry →