Rumours of a federal election surfaced in early July, when the prime minister visited British Columbia to announce $1.3 billion in federal funding toward the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension project, as well as $3.2 billion over the next five years to create a $10 per day child care program for kids under six..During the same time Jagmeet Singh and Erin O’Toole were conducting tours of their own, furthering the narrative a federal election was nigh..There were promises from the leaders of $8.7 million for a University of Victoria-based oceans program’s climate research, $10.3 million for 21 Vancouver Island projects and $11.3 million for social housing in the capital region..It was apparent election giddiness was in the air and on Sunday, the rumoured snap election was announced and now Justin Trudeau will attempt to turn his minority government into a majority..As September 20 approaches, what are the top 10 issues British Columbians are most concerned with?.The following list – which is set forth in no particular order – is curated from polls, interviews, and a wide variety of sources..Opioid crisis..Five years ago British Columbia declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency..In May 2021, there were 160 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths, according to a report from the BC Coroner Service. This equates to over five deaths per day on average..Drug toxicity deaths per 100,000 people is at its worst rate since at least 1995..Housing..The topic of housing, homelessness, and poverty have been important to British Columbians going into past elections, and these concerns have only ramped up during COVID..In addition to homelessness and poverty issues, there has been a focus on absentee landlords buying up properties. The need for restrictions on foreign purchase and ownership of land is frequently mentioned, predominantly for those living and working Metro Vancouver..Reducing foreign investment..Reduced foreign investment in favour of building industries and infrastructure at home..Health care..Interest in health care, and more specifically long-term care, is of significant focus..The federal government announced Friday it’s investing close to $134 million in long-term care facilities in BC..The money will be spent on single-bed rooms, improved ventilation and air quality, and more..On Thursday, the BC provincial government announced those working in long-term care or assisted living facilities in British Columbia will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine, one day prior to the federal money being announced..Indigenous reconciliation..Polls show British Columbian’s view indigenous reconciliation issues as a top priority..This comes after the discovery this year of human remains found at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC, followed by several more similar findings in Western Canada..Wildfires..Every summer BC is savaged by wildfire..Nearly 1,500 wildfires have started since April 1, which has resulted in the burning of more than 6,600 square kilometres of land..While the focus of many British Columbians tends to lean towards oversimplified solutions relating to climate change, more are beginning to question what role the forest management system is playing in the growth of wildifre..Economic recovery..The next government is facing massive economic problems..British Columbia experienced 17,350 business closures in April of 2020; a more than 200% increase from 7,623 in 2019, according to Statistics Canada..COVID-19..Likely the most divisive topic of our time, COVID-19 is still a concern for many..With a significant portion of British Columbians petrified of COVID-19 variants, they want to be assured that their elected prime minister will do all in his power to “protect them.”.On the other end, a meaningful percentage of those living in BC want all COVID related measures killed, and will vote for whichever candidate promises to respect issues such as vaccine choice..Being a highly emotional topic, the truth is often clouded by outrage. Politicians can be expected to weaponize this going into the election..Climate change..Much like COVID-19, the discussion surrounding climate change is no stranger to disagreement..Most will agree that the climate is indeed changing. Where the dispute comes in is whether or not the changing of the climate is anthropogenic (human-caused), and, if so, how much can be attributed to said human influence..As with COVID, this is an emotionally charged topic which will continue to be aggressively utilized by the candidates..Civil liberties..An increasingly large number of British Columbians – most of whom feel they have not been given a voice in the mainstream political realm – are predominantly focused on the topic of civil liberties going into the election..This comes in response to the series of COVID related restrictions that have been taking place since March 2020..Reid Small is a BC correspondent for the Western Standard.,rsmall@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/reidsmall
