BURSTAffordability was the focus of another B.C. election campaign stop in Surrey for CentreBC leader Elenore Sturko on Monday morning, Oct. 19.
The Surrey South candidate was at a Newton grocery store to reveal party plans “to put money back in British Columbians’ pockets, saving a typical two-income family approximately $540 a year.”
Promised are lower taxes, a rate-of-inflation cap on residential BC Hydro rate increases, 20,000 new $10-a-day child care spaces by 2030 and a new refundable BC Commuter Credit to give passengers 15 per cent back on monthly/annual transit passes and BC Ferries multi-trip fares.
If elected, CentreBC would reverse the NDP’s 2026 increase to the lowest provincial personal income tax bracket, reducing the rate to 5.06 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Also, the renter’s tax credit will be increased to $600 a year and indexed to inflation.
An existing freeze on ICBC basic insurance rates would be maintained until spring 2027, and rates would then be kept at or below inflation through 2030.
“Our plan addresses household financial pressures together,” Sturko said at a podium set up in the produce section at Organic Warehouse.
“People are working hard and still struggling to afford the basics,” said Sturko. “CentreBC will implement practical measures that lower household expenses, make bills more predictable and leave working families with more money in their pockets.”
Sturko was named leader of CentreBC on Sept. 22 and announced her candidacy in Surrey South three days later. Many of the party’s campaign events have been held in Surrey, a key battleground in the B.C. election.
The four other candidates in Surrey South are Megan Knight (Conservatives), Parik Tahlan (NDP), Bill McConnell (Greens) and Denis Hurtubise (unaffiliated).
Monday in Newton, Sturko was surrounded by CentreBC candidates Judy Higginbotham (Surrey-Serpentine River), Sargy Chima (Surrey-Cloverdale), Parm Bhandol (Surrey North), Paul Brar (Surrey-Fleetwood), Raman Sharma (Surrey City Centre), Kyle Stevenson (Langley Walnut Grove) and Vikas Gautam (Burnaby Centre).