In Surrey, we pull out all the stops to keep kids from being recruited to gangs, and drug trafficking. We’ve invested in anti-gang programs in our schools, funded afterschool programs, and much more. We vigilantly deploy our police to suppress gang activity and prevent shootings. Having our government use our own tax dollars against us, by funding drug trafficking is a slap in the face to every community that has fought hard to keep people safe from gangs and organized crime.

For months, I have joined our BC United Leader Kevin Falcon in calling on David Eby and his NDP government for some form of tangible relief. British Columbians feel squeezed, stretched to the limit by the increasing costs of food, fuel, housing and so much more. Real action to address the serious affordability challenges facing our province is long overdue, and while the NDP may not be able to deliver, BC United has a plan to make a difference in people’s lives right away.

In a shocking and deeply concerning revelation, recent findings have uncovered public money being used to purchase illicit drugs from the dark web, feeding organized crime and perpetuating the drug crisis in B.C. As taxpayers, we expect our tax dollars to be used ethically in ways that benefit society as a whole — with tangible results to show for it. This clearly is not the case with David Eby, where the crisis has only continued to worsen after six years and two terms of an NDP government.

Crises in affordability, housing, health care and crime have become a grim ‘new normal’ in B.C., at a time when the NDP government is spending more money than ever. We need a government that not only understands that we’re in an affordability crisis, but actually takes real steps to provide relief for everyday people. We need a government that offers hope and tangible solutions — anything less is not good enough.