NDP 

Soon-to-be B.C. premier David Eby lays out plan for first 100 days in office

Karin Larsen - CBC

Premier-designate David Eby says he will be introducing significant initiatives to tackle the issues of housing, health care, the environment and public safety in his first 100 days in office.

Premier-designate David Eby speaks during a news conference at the Chan Centre in Vancouver on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.© Ben Nelms/CBC

Speaking to the media and a crowd of supporters at the Chan Centre in his Vancouver-Point Grey riding, Eby also said he is firmly committed to not calling an early election before the next fixed date of Oct. 19, 2024.

"I haven't heard a single person say they are wanting an election right now," he said.

Eby, 46, is poised to become the 37th premier of the province when John Horgan retires in December after being acclaimed leader of the ruling B.C. NDP party in a controversial non-contest that saw his only rival disqualified.

On housing, Eby said his government will go back to the future and rebuild partnerships with nonprofits, the private sector, cities and the federal government.

"Government used to believe that it had an obligation to build housing for middle-class families. Somehow we got away from that. We need to get back into that and deliver that housing."

He also said new measures would be introduced to preserve rental housing and create opportunities for new rental development.

On health care, Eby pointed to his partner, a doctor in family practice, to highlight his understanding of the "profound barriers" facing family physicians and others working in the sector.

He said systems need to be developed to recognize and employ internationally health-care workers who have moved to B.C.

"Our ability to assess people with international skills, to get them working as quickly as possible, is going to be part of our response to the challenges of the health-care system.," he said.

Regarding the climate and environment, Eby pledged to accelerate the NDP's old growth plan and reduce and redirect fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy projects. He did not answer a question about whether LNG subsidies will be targeted.

"We cannot continue to subsidize fossil fuels and expect clean energy to manifest somehow," he said. We cannot continue to expand fossil fuel infrastructure and hit our climate goals."

On public safety, Eby said he will make downtowns across the province safe again and look at solutions involving "profound interventions" to stop repeat offenders cycling in and out of the justice system by addressing issues of mental health, homelessness and addiction.

"I'm setting down a marker today: this is a priority for our government," he said. "What you will see is action that actually addresses the core issue that is causing so much chaos in our communities."