The fourth phase looks furthest ahead, to British Columbia's social and economic future. In re-opening the economy, we have an opportunity to significantly change how things operate. We can structure society to avert the sorts of inequities that have existed for decades, if not centuries. We can build internal sufficiency and long-term resiliency into the province, ensuing that we have the capacity to produce and distribute essential resources even if borders and trading networks are shut down. And we can lay the foundations for shifting to a post-carbon economy. In short, we can begin building the world we want, rather than simply re-build the world we had.
Worker health and safety
We recommend that the government:
- Continue to support the development of worker-centered regulatory improvements and policies at the WCB.
Worker rights and protections
We recommend that the government:
- Develop a plan to implement a living wage in BC.
- Increase annual operating budgets for both the LRB and ESB to ensure effective implementation of recent changes, strengthen enforcement, and guarantee that labour issues and disputes are addressed in a timely manner.
Public services and supports
We recommend that the government:
- Implement fare-free public transit throughout BC.
- Develop a plan for re-establishing inter-city transit, with connections to neighbouring provinces and territories.
- Expand public health services and facilities to include universal dental, para-medical, and mental health services.
- End the contracting out of HandyDART and other transit services.
- Expand ICBC's role as a public insurer to offer home, life, non-automobile vehicle, and travel insurance.
- Work with the Federal government to deliver fair pharmacare.
Supports for vulnerable populations
We recommend that the government:
- Continue to lift income assistance and disability rates.
- Expand social housing programs and wrap-around services to more communities in BC.
Infrastructure projects and addressing climate emergency
We recommend that the government:
- Develop and initiate a plan for constructing a 100% clean-energy power grid.
- Align government procurement and infrastructure renewal programs with provincial climate goals.
- Implement ongoing sustainable forest ry, agriculture, and aquaculture management systems.
- Make large-scale public investments in the green energy sector, including research and development.
- Invest in carbon sink technologies and systems.
- Develop programs to promote biodiversity.
- Develop and construct green-energy infrastructure for public distribution.