BURNABY—The BC NDP’s by-election wins in Vancouver–Mt. Pleasant and Coquitlam–Burke Mountain should send a strong message to Premier Christy Clark and put her government on notice that voters have had enough of regressive, right-wing politics, CUPE BC President Paul Faoro said today.
“I want to congratulate both new MLAs-elect, and I know all CUPE members join me in celebrating their historic accomplishments,” said Faoro. “Melanie Mark is now the first-ever First Nations woman elected to the B.C. Legislature, and Jodie Wickens defeated both a BC Liberal and Green in a riding the NDP has never won. I know that both of these amazing women will be important parts of John Horgan’s team as we head into the next provincial election, just 65 weeks from now.
“The Premier and her spin doctors won’t admit it, but they were hoping for a far better showing in both ridings. Instead, the BC Liberal candidate in Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant came in a distant third place. And in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, the BC Liberal vote collapsed dramatically.”
CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Trevor Davies thanked the CUPE members and staff who volunteered on the campaigns, and said the victories show the importance of union political action.
“Our members in both ridings knew how important it was to not only elect two great new MLAs, but to send Christy Clark a clear message,” said Davies. “Our members are tired of the meaningless, fluffy photo-ops that don’t bring any positive change for people struggling with higher user fees, higher BC Hydro and ICBC rates, skyrocketing tuition and reduced services, while the richest British Columbians get yet another tax cut.
“It’s way past time for a change in Victoria, and the by-election wins are just the first step towards a BC NDP government that will represent all British Columbians not just the privileged few and the biggest corporations.”
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