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| Darpan's 10 Q&A's with Premier Gordon Campbell |
 1. What is included in your 4-year plan?
We’re going to focus on the same goal that we’ve had over the past eight years, and that is building a strong province for our kids and our grandkids to inherit. That means working to build a strong, sustainable economy and continuing to tackle the challenge of climate change with meaningful actions that reduce emissions and create economic opportunities. We are also committed to bridging the gaps in health, education and economic opportunities that exist between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal British Columbians. We want to ensure our province continues to be a place where people from around the world want to live, work and raise their families.
2. What did you not accomplish last term that is important to you and would like to accomplish this term? British Columbians have made significant progress over the past four years, including major infrastructure projects that are building B.C. as Canada’s Pacific Gateway, expanding services like health and education across the province, and introducing one of the most ambitious climate change plans on the continent. We will build on those accomplishments together over the next four years in a way that will create jobs, economic opportunity and benefit people in every part of B.C.
3. There has been an increase in gang violence recently? What is your take on the events and in finding a solution?There’s no question that gang violence and gun crime is not acceptable in our communities. People deserve to feel safe in their homes and on the streets. We’ve established integrated task forces, hired over 1,100 new police, brought in more prosecutors and worked with the federal government to bring in tougher laws, including eliminating the “two-for-one” credit for time served. Those are important steps and they’re already having an impact, as we’ve seen with the recent high-profile gang-related arrests across the Lower Mainland. We’re going to build on that work with new legislation to require anyone with outstanding warrants from other provinces to be immediately returned to those jurisdictions and deny them access to income assistance and other services requiring residency until they can prove their warrants have been dealt with. It’s also critical that every citizen continues to be vigilant and passes on information to the police. Together we can send a strong signal to these criminals that they are not welcome in British Columbia.
4. The Olympics are fast approaching, what are the final stages before they start? British Columbia is well-prepared to host one of the best Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games ever. All of the Games venues were completed earlier this year, giving our athletes an unprecedented two seasons of pre-Games training opportunities right here at home. This is the earliest completion of venues in recent Games history, and a testament to the incredible work being done here in B.C. to prepare for the Games. The Games themselves will put B.C. on the world stage, with up to three billion people around the globe watching. We will use that unique advantage to leverage new tourism, investment, trade and jobs.
5. What priority is healthcare? What is included in your 4-year health plan? We’ve made improving health care a top priority, which is why 90 per cent of all new spending in our budget is dedicated to health care services – that’s an additional $4.8 billion over the next three years. We’ve already built the province’s first new regional hospital in over 30 years in Abbotsford. We’re going to continue improving care with the new Surrey Outpatient Hospital and Surrey Memorial Critical Care Tower and new and expanded hospitals in Victoria, Kelowna, Vernon and Fort St. John. We’re also opening a new medical school in Kelowna to train more doctors in B.C. than ever before.
6. What is your prognosis of the BC Economy currently and in the next 10 years? There’s no question that B.C. and the rest of the world are facing challenging economic times. But all British Columbians have worked hard over the last eight years to build our economic diversity and strength, to ensure we can come through these tough times. We’re investing $14 billion over the next three years to build infrastructure that will make B.C. more competitive, and at the same time create up to 88,000 new jobs. The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will give us an economic boost, and we can seize the opportunities of growing trade with the Asia-Pacific and the emerging green economy to further build B.C.’s economy as we move forward.
7. What plan do you have to help support South Asian culture? British Columbia is proud to have a strong South Asian community that contributes to the diversity and strength of our entire province. We want to acknowledge that strength, and ensure the South Asian community is a full partner in building B.C. Last year, our government took the important step of officially apologizing for the Komagata Maru incident, and we will be naming the entrance to the new, expanded emergency department at Surrey Memorial Hospital the Guru Nanak Emergency Services Front Entrance, in honour of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. We’re also strengthening the bonds between India and B.C. through new partnerships in education, research and trade, and enhancing services for new immigrants to B.C. through the $272-million Welcome BC program.
8. You have succeeded in securing a 3rd term as Premier. How do you feel about that? What significance does accomplishing this feat have for you? It’s very humbling to have the opportunity to serve the people of British Columbia for a third term. What British Columbians expect now is that we’ll roll up our sleeves and get to work with them to build our economic strength and work to create and protect jobs in every corner of the province. We intend to carry on with a financially-sound plan that encourages investment, encourages jobs, encourages small business and builds our communities.
9. What is your favourite Indian food? My favourite foods include dal, any kind of curry and aloo gobi.
10. You have been to many South Asian events over the years. How much Punjabi have you learned? I’ve learned a few greetings, so not as much as I would have liked. Fortunately, at all of the South Asian events I’ve attended and during my trips to India there have been many friendly, helpful people to assist with translating.
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