B.C. Conservatives costed platform not released as voting begins; Doerkson calls announcement “imminent”

The Story

British Columbians have begun voting without the release of a costed platform from the B.C. Conservatives, with interim leader Lorne Doerkson saying the document will be announced “imminently.”

Doerkson said he has seen the platform but wants to ensure the party does not “promise anything the party ‘can’t make happen.’”

Earlier this week, Doerkson said British Columbians would see a “fulsome plan” from the party before voters go to the polls.

Advance polls are open starting today (Oct. 16) and run through to next Wednesday ahead of election day on Oct. 24.

The provincial New Democratic Party and the Green Party both released their costed platforms earlier this week.

Speaking at a campaign stop in Port Moody, Doerkson reiterated the Conservatives’ plans to build a women’s and children’s hospital in Surrey, scrap the Massey Tunnel replacement in favour of a bridge, and cut income taxes by up to $1,000 a year “for nearly every working British Columbian.”

During a campaign stop in Coquitlam, NDP leader David Eby said the absence of a costed platform on an estimated $5 billion worth of promises shows the Conservatives do not want to share their plan for cuts.

Eby said the Conservatives would pay for their promises by cutting services “that you and your family depend on.”

Doerkson said he wants to avoid what he described as broken promises by the NDP, including a commitment to provide a doctor for every resident who wants one and giving people a $1,000 rebate.

He added that his party’s delay in putting together a costed platform is because “our deficit is now $14 billion,” and said the Conservatives are working on the numbers “but I want it to be right. I want the numbers to be right and I want to know with an absolute clear conscience that the things that we are promising British Columbians in that platform, we will be able to achieve.”