For years, NDP Sea to Sky candidate Michelle Livaja commuted to a full-time job and taking on university courses.
“So I feel the pain of the commuter,” she says, adding that she also understands the struggle just to make life work here. “It’s really hard if you’re both commuting. I used to work at the Ruddy Potato and Steve worked ‘the real job.’ You can’t really make it on Bowen wages.”
With this perspective, she says what excites her about the NDP platform is their plans for the economy and jobs.
“Our jobs plan ties in with affordable housing, we’re planning on building 114,000 units,” says Livaja. “A mix of rental, social, co-ops and market units... just to get people into homes.”
The NDP jobs plan, she adds, sees the construction business booming as under their leadership, the government would invest in a host of new infrastructure projects including hospitals, roads and schools.
When it comes to the liquid natural gas (LNG) export industry in BC, Livaja says her party is on-board, and has also said yes to the Woodfibre project.
“This is with the recognition that there are stringent conditions that have been set by the Squamish Nation that need to be met on the project,” she says. “If not, then it is a no-go. I do suspect that they will be met, as the company has been working very respectfully with the Nation.”
When questioned on the economic viability of LNG, and amount of jobs the Woodfibre project would actually bring to for people in the Sea to Sky region, Livaja says she does not see these factors impacting the NDP decision.
“There are no guarantees in there that jobs will be for British Columbians,” says Livaja. “I would hope this would impact whether the project moves forward, but I don’t think so. I wouldn’t want to give false hope to the people in this riding.”
When asked about ferry services, Livaja points to the NDPs plan to reduce rates on all minor routes by 15%. When asked whether the NDP would re-instate service to its 2014 levels, she said she hadn’t heard any conversation on that particular topic.
