The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has invited all candidates running in the five Tri-Cities ridings to answer our questions, and provide a 60-second introductory video. Come and meet the candidates in person at the Chamber's Business Showcase on Tuesday, October 8th. Learn more >
Kerry van Aswegen, MLA Candidate for Port Moody–Burquitlam, Conservative Party of BC, Fall 2024
"My family has owned a small business in the Tri-Cities for the last 23 years. I decided to run for MLA because I would like to see changes in our province," says Kerry van Aswegen. Watch the video >
1. If elected, how would your government encourage more business investment, job creation, and higher wages in British Columbia?
BC Conservatives will foster an economic environment that attracts new investments, create jobs and increases prosperity for all British Columbians. We will balance the budget while reducing taxes, government bureaucracy and red tape.
We believe small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy and will remove useless and redundant government regulations to help them thrive.
We will support key industries to bolster the economy, such as expanding BC’s natural gas production and LNG export facilities, getting pipelines built and encouraging the development of our natural resources.
We will simplify, streamline and return common sense to the permit granting process. One project one permit – not multiple permits (with different requirements) if project spanned over multiple jurisdictions. Our common-sense approach to permits will also allow projects to be expedited when circumstances warrant.
2. How would your government address the rising cost of living, to make life more affordable in the Tri-Cities and throughout the province?
According to a recent report of the Fraser Institute, in 2023 a Canadian family pay on average 43% of their total income on taxes.* The common-sense starting point to make life more affordable is to reduce this total tax payable. A conservative government in BC will not only look at the carbon tax, but all taxes once the true state of BC’s finances are determined.
We will address the basic necessities of life – the cost of housing, food and energy.
On housing we will encourage a stable and predictable housing market by getting prices under control and promoting new development. We will also crack down on illegal money laundering that has inflated prices and facilitated criminal activity.
To support our communities with this new housing, a conservative government will also make sure that an infrastructure is in place to support greater densification (water, power, parking, schools, roadways, etc).
Our food production is vulnerable, with only 34% of our food locally produced, and we will double that.
For energy we will dramatically expand BC’s natural gas production and LNG export facilities. We will also work with industry to make sure pipelines get built.
*Fraser Institute, “Taxes versus the Necessities of Life: The Canadian Consumer Tax Index 2024 edition”, July 2024
3. What is your party's priority with respect to addressing the labour challenges we face today?
BC faces a major productivity crisis that leads to stagnant income, fewer jobs, slow economic growth and a lower quality of living. A BC conservative government will grow and expand the private sector by restoring business confidence, remove regulatory roadblocks and red tape, facilitate business investments and lower taxes.
Related to the productivity issue is the unbalanced and rapid growth of the government sector. In contrast, government service delivery has been stagnant or declining. Balance will be restored by limiting public sector growth. Service delivery will be measured and reported, and government departments held accountable. Also, we will not only remove mandates on Health Care workers but actively work to reintegrate them back into their previous jobs.
BC’s influx of recent immigrants, particularly non-permanent residents, has done little for productivity. We will use the same powers as Quebec to control immigration and attract immigrants with the skill set and in the numbers that BC needs.
Finally, recent NDP legislation has eroded the autonomy of professionals undermined their independence. The NDP government introduced Bill 36 (Health Professions and Occupations Act) and Bill 21 (Legal Professions Act). We will repeal those laws.
4. What are your party's vision and priorities for the transportation infrastructure and public transit service in the Tri-Cities?
The conservative party transportation and public transport vision for the Tri-Cities still needs to be fleshed out. To be meaningful, this vision will be developed with the full participation of the Tri-City local governments. However, the following can be stated:
- Local transportation and public transit infrastructure needs will be considered as a subset of future housing and any development will be in lockstep with new housing development.
- Local municipalities through Translink will continue to plan and control public transportation and transit infrastructure within their jurisdictions.
- Funding will continue to be done jointly by local municipalities (through Translink) and the provincial and federal government.
View a map of the Port Moody-Burquitlam electoral district here.
5. If elected, how will you work with industry to help establish frameworks that enable both economic and environmentally sustainable growth?
Climate change is a real issue facing all British Columbians. In January 2024 we conducted a survey among resident in the Port Moody-Burquitlam riding that indicated addressing climate change is important but not one of the most important issues facing British Columbians. A common-sense approach is called for when addressing the green economy.
British Columbia is a resource powerhouse, and we can use these resources to grow our economy in an environmentally sustainable way. We believe in supporting the forestry, mining, LNG, hydro-electricity and fishing industries so they can be sustainable while bringing good paying jobs to our province.
6. What would you do to help the homeless throughout the Tri-Cities, and in particular those camped at or near businesses, impacting the business owners' ability to stay in operation?
There are many reasons for homelessness and a one-size fit all solution is not appropriate.
The TriCity area’s only permanent shelter at 3030 Gordon Avenue faces severe overcrowding and increased demand. This facility is clearly inadequate, and the BC government and local government needs to get together and develop more facilities and resources including healthcare, overdose prevention services, outreach and peer support and referrals to provincial agencies for other supports (i.e., income assistance, housing and access services) to meet the Tri-City demand.
The BC Conservative Party strongly believes that the solution to homelessness is not to help them stay on the street, but to get them off the street! We will grow the economy so that those who can work are offered work opportunities. We will also offer short and long-term treatment programs for those with mental health and addiction issues.
The current NDP government’s decriminalization and safe supply policies, together with weak law enforcement led to declining safety which has hurt businesses across all BC. Changes to the criminal code and bail side is required so that there are consequences for crimes. This should also involve changes in the BC’s court system and crown prosecution to stop the revolving door policy. Police resources need to be freed up from other issues so that they can focus on safety on our streets.
7. What changes would you implement to improve healthcare?
Our BC healthcare system is in crisis and is failing British Columbians
A BC Conservative government will implement a new ‘Patients First’ Healthcare Model: universal healthcare for everyone under a single-payer system that delivers care through both public and non-governmental facilities.
This model offers major and meaningful healthcare system reform to:
- Expand Access to Care and End Long Wait Times
- Help British Columbians Get a Family Doctor
- Stop the ER Closures
- Protect and Support Front Line Staff
- Address Healthcare Workforce Retention and Recruitment Issues
- Create a Modern, Transparent, and Accountable Healthcare System
We remain committed and will guarantee that under a BC conservative government, the only card you will ever need to show to access healthcare in British Columbia - is your BC Health Card.
8. Please provide a link to your website and/or contact information where readers can follow up with you should they want more information.
Contact information: Kerry van Aswegen, Conservative Party of BC Candidate for Port Moody-Burquitlam. Email Kerry.vanaswegen@conservativebc.ca
View more Candidate videos and Q&A stories here.
The Tri-Cities Chamber is neutral in all elections, as it is stated in its bylaws to not support any particular candidate for public office. We do encourage everyone to learn about local candidates, their positions on issues, and party platforms. Please vote on October 19th.
Authorized by Chamber of Commerce Serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, registered sponsor under the Election Act, 604-464-2716.