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By Bruce Banman MLA, Abbotsford South

OPINION

YOUR PERSPECTIVE: NDP failure – Fraser Valley left stranded by prolonged transit strike

Jun 21, 2023 | 1:34 PM

For more than three agonizing months, the Fraser Valley transit strike has held our communities hostage, leaving bus commuters stranded and disconnected from essential services. It is a situation that should never have been allowed to escalate to this point, and it reflects the utter failure of the NDP government to stand up for the people in the Fraser Valley.

As the MLA for Abbotsford South, not only am I concerned about Premier Eby’s lacklustre response to this crisis, but also the silence of the NDP MLAs and cabinet ministers from the Fraser Valley. Despite the negative impact of the strike on their own communities, NDP politicians closest to the government have been eerily quiet on this pressing issue.

Let us not forget that this is not the first time the NDP has demonstrated a lack of leadership in the face of a prolonged transit strike. Just last year, the Sea to Sky region endured the longest strike in B.C.’s history, lasting a staggering 136 days. Despite the NDP government’s knowledge of the dire consequences, they allowed the strike to drag on, leaving countless individuals stranded and small businesses suffering — much similar to the ongoing situation in the Fraser Valley. The parallels between these two strikes reveal a disheartening pattern of neglect by the current government.

The BC United Caucus has been standing united in condemning the inaction of the NDP government in resolving this debilitating strike. We firmly believe that no community should be left isolated and neglected for such an extended period. It is unconscionable that our residents, including those with disabilities, small business owners, and families, continue to endure the severe repercussions of this labour dispute.

To address this pressing issue, Surrey-White Rock BC United MLA Trevor Halford, our Shadow Minister for Transportation, introduced the Fraser Valley Transit Services Act, 2023, a bill designed to reinstate handyDART vehicles as an emergency service. Unfortunately, the NDP government failed to prioritize this crucial legislation, disregarding the urgent needs of our region. Now, after multiple calls from the cities in the Fraser Valley including Chilliwack and Abbotsford, as well as BC United MLAs and local stakeholders, the government has finally appointed a mediator — too little, too late as the strike goes on with no progress in sight.

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The NDP government must take immediate action to resolve the ongoing transit strike, reinstating vital bus services for our communities. It is the responsibility of our elected officials to protect the interests of the people they represent. The prolonged suffering and hardships endured by Fraser Valley residents demand swift and effective solutions.

The BC United Caucus remains steadfast in our commitment to you, the people of Abbotsford South and the wider Fraser Valley community. We will continue to advocate tirelessly on your behalf until this strike is resolved, and our buses are back on the road. I implore you to join me in raising your voices against this injustice. Contact the NDP MLAs throughout the Fraser Valley, express your concerns, and demand immediate action.

David Eby, the time for idle promises and empty rhetoric has passed. Our region deserves leadership that stands up for our communities, and we will not accept anything less than the reliable and accessible transit services everyone here deserves.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of Fraser Valley Today or Pattison Media.