RICHMOND - Interim Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson’s platform makes it clear why he’s been hiding it: it would mean cuts to healthcare and major projects, putting Richmond projects like the Richmond Hospital tower at risk and cancelling the Massey tunnel replacement.

“With Phase 1 of the Richmond Hospital redevelopment complete, and Phase 2 set to start this year, this is a crucial time for Richmond,” said Henry Yao, BC NDP candidate for Richmond Centre. “The BC Conservatives plans for infrastructure cuts would put our new acute care tower on the chopping block. Families in Richmond cannot afford the risk.”

The Conservative platform says currently planned infrastructure spending under the BC NDP is too high and promises a review of infrastructure spending, while setting no targets of their own – a sure sign of hidden cuts and project cancellations to come. The BC NDP’s planned infrastructure investments include clinics, hospitals, schools and transportation projects across the province.

Site preparation at the hospital is nearing completion and construction on the new acute care tower will start by the end of this year - making it a prime candidate for a delay or cancellation.

200 workers are building the Massey tunnel replacement now, but the BC Conservatives have pledged to tear up the work and cancel that project.

“The BC NDP is delivering the new eight-lane tunnel to get commuters moving again,” said Bruce Kong, BC NDP candidate for Richmond-Steveston. “The BC Conservatives’ plan to cancel the Massey replacement would set the project back years and leave commuters in our community stuck in traffic longer. People can’t afford that.”

The Conservatives’ platform also includes a backdoor healthcare cut to a part of the budget that funds surgeries, and services at clinics, hospitals and long-term care homes. Conservative cuts to healthcare would mean fewer doctors and nurses and longer wait times for British Columbians.

“Families, workers and business owners are counting on the new Massey tunnel to make it easier to get around our region, and it’s exciting to see work underway,” said Dhar Grewal, BC NDP candidate for Richmond-Queensborough. “It’s hard to imagine sending those workers home and delaying the project for years, but that is exactly what Lorne Doerkson and the Conservatives plan to do.”

“Our growing community deserves top-quality healthcare, and we need the new acute care tower to be completed as soon as possible,” said Linda Li, BC NDP candidate for Richmond-Bridgeport. “People have worked so hard to bring this project forward, but the BC Conservatives would put all of that at risk.”

The BC NDP believes in investing in the services and community projects that make life better for people. That means strengthening health care, creating good jobs, and building the infrastructure and services our communities need to thrive.

Other projects in Richmond that the Conservative’s infrastructure cuts put at risk:

• Seismic replacement of John G. Diefenbaker Elementary. Site preparation is underway and construction is starting soon. This would be an easy target for cancellation by a Conservative government looking to balance the books on the backs of British Columbians.
• The new Urgent and Primary Care Centre that the BC NDP has pledged to build in Steveston, which would be Richmond’s third UPCC. While the BC Conservatives have given lip service to a new UPCC in the area, the project would be another candidate for cancellation due to Conservative cuts to healthcare and capital spending.