BC Green Party candidate Nick Gottlieb said his priorities, if elected to represent Skeena, would be addressing the rising cost of living, improving health-care services, and ensuring major industries contribute more to local communities.
Gottlieb, a graduate student and researcher who studies the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry and rural economic development, said residents are dealing with challenges including emergency room closures in Kitimat, homelessness and deteriorating schools despite significant industrial activity in the region.
“I think people are ready for something different in this region. I think there’s a silent majority here that is questioning whether the model of economic development that’s being pushed on us is actually helping our communities,” Gottlieb said.
He argued that both the BC NDP and Conservatives are relying too heavily on resource development projects that generate significant profits for private companies but provide limited long-term employment once construction is complete.
Gottlieb identified the rising cost of living as the biggest issue facing residents, connecting it to housing affordability, homelessness and pressures on the health-care system.
He said the BC Greens would prioritize reinvesting in public services, expanding non-market housing and ensuring major industries contribute more to the provincial budget.
“We need to hold the major industries that are in this region accountable for the cost they’re imposing on us and make sure they’re paying their fair share of their profits to the provincial budget. As far as I’m concerned, we’re the only party that is standing up and ready to do that,” Gottlieb said.
Gottlieb also wants consistent funding for Northwest communities to help manage the impacts of major industrial projects, including LNG development.
He pointed to the provincial government’s $250-million payment to the Northwest Resource Benefits Alliance, saying the funding is insufficient when divided among 21 communities over five years.
“My top priority is making sure that our region in particular and our communities get the money we need in order to offset the impact of these industries that are being built here. I think our communities deserve consistent funding to help address those impacts,” he said.
Health care is another priority, with Gottlieb calling for better nurse retention to address staffing shortages and emergency room closures.
He criticized the province’s reliance on recruiting health-care workers from other jurisdictions and raised concerns about working conditions, compensation and the use of private agency nurses.
Gottlieb said Northern Health spends almost $100 million annually on private nursing. The BC Greens would support safe nurse-to-patient ratios, greater job flexibility and gradually phasing out reliance on private agency nurses, he said.
On ensuring Skeena residents’ concerns are heard provincially, Gottlieb said the Greens hope to win enough seats to hold the balance of power in a minority government.
“What is plausible is a Green minority government, and that’s really what we’re hoping for. I think that’ll be the best outcome for everyone in the province, if we win enough seats that the Greens hold the balance of power,” Gottlieb said.
He said the party wants to move the region beyond the boom-and-bust cycle of resource extraction and keep more economic benefits within British Columbia.
“We’re offering a holistic vision for an economic future in our region that breaks free from the boom-bust cycle,” he said.
He added that the party wants to see more investment, manufacturing and economic activity remain in the province, helping support local businesses, communities and workers.
The provincial election is on Oct. 24.
