News

NEWS RELEASE
March 28, 2019

Affordability concerns will dominate the federal election, new research shows

CANADA — Public opinion research released today shows that almost half (48%) of Canadians are worried about the rising cost of living and not having enough income to cover their expenses. Over half (57%) listed issues of affordability, economic inequality, wages and taxes, as their top vote drivers for the upcoming federal election. Pharmacare and healthcare costs also rated highly.

With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to reflect on the year that was and the year ahead. At the BROADBENT INSTITUTE, we continue to work our hearts out for progress right across this great country.

It’s been a long and wild political year in Canada. With elections from New Brunswick to British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, and in the Prairies too, change has been a theme, but not all of the change has been positive.

Terrified children being ripped from their parents and imprisoned alone in cages.

My congratulations to Premier John Horgan and his government in BC. They are keeping their word and moving forward with a referendum to replace the province’s “first past the post” electoral system with Proportional Representation (PR), so that every vote in every community counts.

Ottawa – The federal budget missed an opportunity to recover up to $12 billion in tax revenue that could be invested in  needed health and social programs, contends the Broadbent Institute.

“Tax loopholes used mainly by the very wealthy are costing us billions every year,” stated Rick Smith, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute. “A fairer tax system that sees these loopholes closed would help us fight the inequality that’s threatening many of our communities.”

Recommendations from the Broadbent Institute on the 2018 Referendum

Democratic renewal is a key focus of the Institute. The upcoming referendum in British Columbia on proportional representation (PR) provides a historic opportunity to strengthen our democracy, improve representation, combat the growing alienation people feel from the political process, and renew public faith in our political institutions.

Vancouver - The Broadbent Institute welcomes today’s announcement by the BC government outlining the process for citizen consultation on the upcoming electoral reform referendum. The Institute, Canada’s leading progressive, independent organization, recognizes the historic opportunity facing British Columbians to strengthen democracy through the introduction of a proportional representation system.

In January 2016, the Broadbent Institute lost our dear friend and inspiration Professor Ellen Meiksins Wood.

After more than a decade and a half of a punitive, regressive government, British Columbians finally have a government committed to addressing inequality, strengthening public services, taking action on climate, and cleaning up the way our democracy works.