Affordability and Housing

“Fighting for Affordability with a New Independent Edge”

Tom has spent years working to make life more affordable for the people of Kootenay-Rockies. Now, free from party obligations, he can speak out more forcefully against policies that drive up costs and advocate for housing solutions that work for our communities. As an independent, Tom’s vote will be critical in ensuring that affordability stays front and center in provincial discussions.

Stopping the Endless Cycle of Taxation

Tom believes the key to making life more affordable is stopping the endless cycle of taxation on top of taxation. From soda pop to food and gas, the NDP has inserted taxes into nearly every essential item. Tom argues that this approach only deepens the affordability crisis by raising the cost of necessities. Instead of layering taxes, Tom advocates for:

• Cutting through the bureaucracy that increases the cost of housing, rental rates, building expenses, and even basic living costs.
• Growing revenue through new industries and sectors rather than relying solely on taxation.
• Bringing common sense into government spending, ensuring that government revenue grows proportionally to the growth of the economy.

The Cost of Government Inefficiency

The size of government staffing alone has increased by over 35% in the past seven years at a cost of over $12 billion per year, yet services have worsened. Tom argues that this overgrowth of government is not only inefficient but costly, driving up expenses and creating layers of bureaucracy that slow down essential processes, further increasing costs for everyone.

Tom’s Collaborative Housing Approach

When it comes to housing policy, Tom believes in a collaborative approach. The NDP’s current top-down strategy forces municipalities to comply with policies that don’t reflect local needs, driving up costs and overextending resources. Tom advocates for:

• Working with local governments to build affordable housing that fits local infrastructure.
• Empowering rural municipalities to create solutions that make sense for their communities.
• Incentivizing municipalities for making the right choices rather than penalizing them.

Tom is also focused on helping first-time homebuyers and housing for seniors. Affordability isn’t just about lowering costs; it’s about ensuring that people who have worked hard to save can actually afford or keep a home. Tom is committed to finding creative solutions to help people enter the housing market and build their future.

Improving BC Housing’s Engagement

Finally, Tom argues that BC Housing needs to be more engaged with the communities it serves. Rather than simply checking boxes, housing policy should be rooted in real-life circumstances, tailored to the specific needs of the people in each community. This includes real partnerships with the private sector.