BC FIRST MANIFESTO
The BC First Manifesto
Preamble
BC First is not a new idea.
It is an inclusive movement, with a prior belief system that views
government from afar with suspicion. BC is not a hinterland for central
Canada.
Those seeking some social and political
context would do well to explore the New Zealand First party at
http://www.nzfirst.org.nz/index.php
Unlike New Zealand First, which has a national focus in New Zealand, BC First
has a provincial focus. This focus puts the BC First concept into
opposition with political agendas that have a federal or national focus.
BC First views efforts such as the Canada West Foundation
(http://www.cwf.ca/) as promising, if somewhat misguided,
first steps towards the achievement of the BC First agenda.
Another feature that distinguishes BC First from New Zealand First is
the absence of the right wing rhetoric that characterizes New Zealand First.
The Manifesto
1. Government needs to be accountable, open and
downsized to a scale compatible with enhanced
local participation.
2. Employment policies need to focus on the
needs of the local labour force and not have
to satisfy the needs of a federal government that is
thousands of miles away.
Radical reform of the Employment Insurance program is
one implication of this position.
3. Education is an investment that is critical to
the future growth and prosperity of BC. To be first
in education, nationally and globally, is a key
objective of BC First.
This requires an integrated educational strategy
that encompasses education at all levels, from
elementary school through to university education.
It covers both publicly funded, community based and
technologically based learning.
4. Health care is an investment in people and
not an entitlement program driven by the consumption
needs of selected portions of the population.
Being a federal program, the Canada Health Act
and related federal legislation,
is viewed as a serious threat to the
long run viability of a sustainable
health care system that meets the needs
of individuals living in BC.
5. Government needs to be self-sustaining in the
sense that fair payment is made for government services
and income taxes only used as an efficient mechanism for
collection. Ultimately, the goal of BC First is to
have zero income tax rate.
6. Resolution of aboriginal concerns is the most
important social issue facing BC. The federal government
has been the primary source of difficulties in
obtaining a fair and just resolution of these issues.
The Indian Act stands as a symbol for the tragedy
that central Canada has created in BC.
7. Immigration of skilled individuals is not
an adequate substitute for obtaining those skills
through the education of the local population.
Recognizing that all persons in BC are, in some
fashion, immigrants, BC First is founded on
'strength in diversity' and seeks to celebrate
the views and insights that the cultures of
other lands bring to the social fabric in BC.
8. The preservation and socially responsible
management of environmental resources is sound
economic policy.
9. Electoral and constitutional reform are essential if BC
is to continue to participate in the Canadian federation.