The BC Conservatives say they’re looking to fix housing, affordability, healthcare and crime, but they need support to do it.
Leader John Rustad delivered a glimpse into his campaign strategy for British Columbians that he says will help put the province back on track, keep people in BC and make life more affordable with a better economy.
Rustad says the focus hasn’t been on getting into power, but rather on those who need support and relief during the multiple crisises facing the province.
“One of the main concerns I’m hearing is the cost of housing,” Rustad says. “We’re doing everything we can to reduce the cost factors. We will do everything we can to help deal with affordability.”
He says one way to approach the housing affordability crisis is to put a tax deduction in place for renters and homebuyers across the province.
“The Rustad Rebate will provide a tax deduction of up to $3,000 per month, we need to make a living and stay here,” he says.
Rustad says the rebate will help generate a significant amount of relief for residents and help take a huge financial burden off the shoulders of those struggling to make ends meet.
“If the rebate is used for every home in the province, it would be roughly $3.5 billion in tax relief,” he says. “On top of the carbon tax, this is one of the most significant tax relief that BC has ever given, and those who are renting.”
The rebate is expected to be implemented in Jan. 2026, with increases of $500 per year, which Rustad says will make the full implementation of $3,000 per month by 2029.
He maintains that adding the ‘Rustad Rebate’ will help stimulate the economy and could potentially bring people back into BC after so many have left.
According to an Angus Reid poll, in 2023 BC lost 8,000 more residents to other provinces because of housing shortages and a high cost of living being over 60 per cent, and Rustad says the amount of people leaving BC is unacceptable.
He adds, if elected, his government will help retain residents and improve the quality of life.
“We need to do everything we can to help people make a living here and reverse the trend of the 72,500 people who left for people to build a future.”
People need more than affordability to survive in any province in Canada, and Rustad says he understands the role of government is to focus on a variety of issues for those residing in BC to live.
According to an Angus Reid poll, the BC Conservatives are the preferred choice to deal with the cost of living, and street crime while the BC NDP are the favored choice to deal with healthcare.
The report also indicates the Conservatives hold a narrow margin lead when it comes to housing affordability, with a five per cent lead over the NDP.
