BC Liberal candidate Steve Kim asserted that he is a strong supporter of public health and education, calling them “fundamental Canadian rights” during a feisty exchange with NDP MLA Selina Robinson during the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce all-candidates meeting last week.
The two Coquitlam-Maillard-ville candidates, joined by the Green Party’s Nicola Spurling, sparred for close to 90 minutes in front of more than 75 spectators inside a conference room at the Best Western Plus Coquitlam Inn Convention Centre.
But the accusation that Kim supported a two-tiered health system appeared to strike a nerve with the 44-year-old office seeker.
“I was born here in Canada and public health and public education are values I believe in,” Kim said, turning to Robinson during the debate. “Those are key fundamental Canadian rights that I firmly believe in.”
The issue over privatized health care arose during an earlier all-candidates meeting, when Port Moody-Coquitlam BC Liberal candidate Linda Reimer told the crowd she supports a private second tier “to a certain extent.”
The comments drew criticism from the NDP and Robinson was eager to draw them into her debate with Kim.
“They believe in a two-tiered system,” she said, adding “that is a concern I am hearing on the doorstep.”
But for the most part, the candidates remained cordial during the event.
Robinson saved her harshest criticisms for Premier Christy Clark, who she said has allowed the costs of everything from ICBC payments to BC Hydro rates to rise during her time in office.
“Under the BC Liberals, they have dumped and increased so many fees on British Columbians that we are paying a $1,000 more a year now than we were when they took office,” she said. “Those fees, those are taxes folks. Lets not fool ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Kim portrayed the BC Liberals as good minders of the economy, touting the province’s Triple-A credit rating and solid job growth.
“We need a diversified economy,” he said. “We need one that focuses on tech. We need every industry to be firing on all cylinders.”
@gmckennaTC
