BC Election 2017: Which party will spend the most on young people?

May 4 2017, 4:01 am

The BC Greens’ spending promises offer young people more than the BC Liberals and BC NDP combined, according to a new study by Generation Squeeze.

The “Swamplight” study analyzed all three party platforms ahead of the BC Election on May 9, to shine some light on how each party’s pledges would benefit people aged under 45.

The study found the BC Liberals were planning to spend $100 more per young person, the BC NDP would spend $400 more, and the BC Greens would spend $1,200 more.

By comparison, for people aged 65+, the BC Liberals would spend $600 more per young person, the BC NDP would spend $750 more, and the BC Greens would spend $800 more.

How much the parties are pledging to spend on young people (Generation Squeeze)

How much the parties are pledging to spend on young people (Generation Squeeze)

Dr. Paul Kershaw, founder of Generation Squeeze, which advocates for young people across Canada, said politics responds to those who organize and show up.

“Generation Squeeze genuinely does not care who people vote for, so long as they vote, ” he said in a release.

Young people less likely to vote

The study was published out of UBC, using data from the BC 2017/18 Budget, Statistics Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

According to Generation Squeeze, Elections BC data also shows that 40% of 25-34 year olds and 49% of 35-44 year olds voted in the 2013 BC election.

By comparison, 67% of British Columbians aged over 55 cast a ballot, says the release.

“Since younger citizens have been less likely to cast a ballot on election day, this has resulted in political parties showing less urgency in the past to solve the big problems that face younger Canadians – including the fact that high home prices in BC have left behind young people’s earnings,” said Kershaw.

More study findings

  • The BC Greens have the most aggressive plan to contain the escalation in home prices.
  • The BC NDP has a more detailed plan on child care, but the BC Greens promise to invest more money, faster. Both are stronger on this than the BC Liberals.
  • The BC Liberals and the BC NDP will spend nearly the same amount on K-12 education.
  • The BC Greens promise 20% more spending on grade school than the other parties.
  • The BC Liberals, BC NDP and BC Greens propose to spend very similar amounts on postsecondary and medical care.
  • The BC Greens platform is the first in years to promise more new money for child care and education than medical care
  • The BC Greens platform is more in line with academic evidence about how to promote population health and prevent illness.
  • The BC NDP plans to spend 2% more than the BC Liberals.
  • The BC Greens plan to spend 7% more than the BC Liberals.
  • Both the BC Greens and the BC NDP propose tax changes, reallocations and stimulating economic growth to cover the costs of the extra spending.

Read the full study here: Swamplight–Making Sense of the 2017 BC Election Platforms for Voters under age 45.


Are you a young British Columbian and eligible to vote in the BC election? We would love to profile you. Email [email protected], subject line: My Future, to find out more.

Daily Hive is your home for BC Election coverage throughout the campaign period. To access our full BC Election coverage click here: Battleground BC.

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