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From left to right: B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, B.C. Conservative interim Leader Lorne Doerkson and B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan.The Canadian Press/The Canadian Press
The leaders of British Columbia’s three main political parties are to face off today in their only debate of the snap provincial election.
NDP Leader David Eby, interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson and Green Leader Emily Lowan are to debate from 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m., with all major television and radio networks broadcasting the event, which will be moderated by Angus Reid Institute president Shachi Kurl.
The leaders do not have any public events scheduled ahead of the debate, which is to be followed by a news conference that all three are expected to attend.
The debate comes hours after the NDP released the costings for its platform, showing a $2-billion reduction of the province’s record deficit by 2028 -2029.
The costings show a deficit of about $12-billion by 2028-2029, down from a forecast of almost $14-billion this fiscal year, built largely on $1-billion in new revenue from income tax increases on the “top 3.88 per cent” as well as $730-million from “targeted economic growth.”
The costings show a “platform surplus” of $581-million by 2028 – 2029, which would combine with previous forecasts to reduce the deficit by just over $2-billion.
The Green Party released its platform for the Oct. 24 election on Tuesday, while the B.C. Conservatives have yet to release their figures.
The Greens’ platform promises new initiatives in health care, education and other social services worth almost $9.3-billion per year over the next two fiscal years, with new revenue coming from a one-time tax on “excessive wealth.”
The party says the new levy would raise $22.2-billion in its first year and total additional revenue would top out at $25.3-billion in 2027-2028
The Greens say their fiscal plan would raise an additional $9.14-billion in revenue from 2028-2029 through higher taxes on the wealthiest British Columbians and nobody “who works for an income” would pay a single dollar more in tax than they currently do.