Gary Coons

VICTORIA—The B.C. Liberals have failed to provide an economic vision for British Columbia beyond the 2010 Olympic Games, says New Democrat Leader Carole James.

“Today B.C. is facing significant challenges, including heavy job losses, persistent child poverty rates and an extended recession in which families are struggling to make ends meet. Not only did the Liberals fail to mention these challenges in the Throne Speech, they failed to put forward a plan to address them,” said James. Read more »

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Approximately 25 people came out to the Fishermen’s Hall in Prince Rupert on January 23 to join a national protest of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s decision to prorogue Parliament, something that rally-goers called “an obscene abuse of power”. Read more »

VICTORIA — An arbitrator’s ruling has found the B.C. Liberals’ failure to invest in public education has left children struggling to learn in overcrowded classrooms across the province, say New Democrats. Read more »

Racism cited as a reason the murders and disappearances have not received more attention

B.C. needs a public inquiry and a multi-agency police task force to examine the many cases of girls and women who have met violence on B.C. highways, say two community leaders who have been vocal about the so-called Highway of Tears case. Read more »

VICTORIA – A report released this week by the Government of Manitoba confirms that the HST is a bad tax that will hurt consumers, say the New Democrats.

“This report confirms what the B.C. Liberals continue to deny,” said North Coast MLA Gary Coons. “The HST will hurt consumers in provinces that implement it.” Read more »

B.C. Ferries is launching an internal investigation into safety concerns on board the Northern Adventure after the 6,000-tonne vessel was forced to abort a sailing this week due to bad weather in Hecate Strait. Read more »

Less than three weeks after the release of a finance ministry report that said the same people should not serve on the boards of both the B.C. Ferry Authority and B.C. Ferry Services Inc., at least one director has been reappointed to both. Read more »

NDP ferries critic Gary Coons is questioning whether the Northern Adventure — the ferry sometimes dubbed the “Vomit Comet” – is equipped for the harsh waters and weather of B.C.’s stormy North Coast. Read more »

Transportation Minister Shirley Bond still won’t commit to improved transparency at B.C. Ferries despite a report criticizing the company’s executive pay packages and lack of accountability.

Under questioning in the legislature yesterday, Bond would only say that government will consider each of the comptroller general’s recommendations — including that B.C. Ferries be subject to Freedom of Information law. Read more »