Q&A with Keenan Adams, B.C Conservative Party candidate for Port Coquitlam

Candidates were given one week to respond to questions. Candidates were asked to limit answers to approximately 100 words. Aside from minor spelling/grammatical errors, responses have not been altered.

How will you improve patient care at Eagle Ridge Hospital?

Expanding Access to Care and Ending Long Wait Times

Patients First: Wait Time Guarantee: Implement a Patient-Based Funding Model, giving patients the choice to access care sooner.

Direct Funding to the Front Lines: Germany has twice the population of Canada, yet we have 10 times as many health administrators. We will reduce red tape and direct funding to patients delivered by the front lines where it matters most. This includes Increasing hiring of nurses, doctors, specialists, and other healthcare professionals.

Update & Modernize Healthcare Technology: Implement new technologies such as telehealth and digital diagnostic tools to reduce wait times and improve care.

How should the next government address the shortage of doctors in B.C.?

Hire back thousands of health care workers: Reinstate healthcare workers who are currently out-of-work due to personal healthcare decisions.

Removing the burden of bureaucratic bloat to ensure that healthcare funding is spent where it matters most—on front-line services, not on bureaucratic bloat or administrative inefficiencies.

Reward rural & remote health care staff: Expand programs to incentivize doctors and nurses to work in high-need communities.

How will your party approach negotiations with the Kwikwetlem First Nation regarding the future of Səmiq̓wəʔelə, (suh-Mee-kwuh El-uh) formerly the Riverview Lands?

No answer given.

What will your party do to improve ambulance response times in the Tri-Cities?

No answer given.

How will you incentivize the construction of more affordable housing?

Work closer with the city to reduce red tape. The NDP’s focus has been on throwing up barriers to investment rather than creating pathways for growth and innovation. We need to change that.

Do you believe financialized landlords and outside investors are leading to higher rents in B.C.? If so, what should be done about it?

No answer given.

What will your party do to help low-income people and the disabled?

Largest tax cut for renters in B.C. history – $3,000 per month of rent or mortgage interest costs will be exempt from provincial income taxes. This will be achieved by issuing a tax credit worth 5.06 percent of eligible housing costs, equivalent to the rate of BC’s base tax bracket.

The City of Coquitlam has been especially critical of the province’s small-scale, multi-unit housing legislation. Should the legislation be altered? If so, how?

The province needs to work with the city to ensure that small-scale, multi-unit housing legislation addresses local concerns while still meeting the broader goal of increasing housing availability. It’s important to strike a balance between provincial priorities and the unique needs of each community.

Right now, there’s one homeless shelter in the Tri-Cities. Would you support the construction of a second shelter? If so, how and where? How will you help the region’s homeless population?

Homelessness is a deeply complex issue that has affected communities for decades and is only getting worse. A good start is looking at BC Housing’s Response to the 3030 Gordon Avenue Shelter and supportive housing review from August 2023 and looking at their recommendations. The three Tri-Cities have asked the NDP for support by asking for immediate implementation of all recommendations which the NDP has refused to do anything about. I would work with the city of Port Coquitlam and push for the immediate implementation of these recommendations. It’s critical that we address this issue collaboratively, as the current inaction by the NDP is only exacerbating the problem. By working together, we can begin to find solutions that balance the needs of the homeless population with the concerns of local businesses and the broader community.

Do you believe we need to reduce regulations for industry? Why or why not?

The Conservative Party of BC will: Reduce the provincial regulatory burden by at least 25 percent over its first term, with a Minister responsible for Red Tape Reduction.

Introduce a red-tape reduction law, requiring the elimination of one regulation for every new one introduced.

BC’s forest sector is known as the highest cost jurisdiction in North America.

Key Commitments: The CPBC will undertake a core review of all factors contributing to B.C’s uncompetitive cost structure. The core review will identify all unnecessary costs and red tape which have resulted in B.C. shipping forestry jobs to other provinces and the U.S.

We will make sure the industry is competitive enough to ship products again, not jobs. The CPBC will support utilization of wood fibre for power generation and other secondary products. This will create new revenue streams for the industry and government, protecting jobs and realizing the highest possible value per log.

Under what conditions, if any, should an employer be able to require a sick note from an employee?

No answer given.

Do we need to hire more teachers and/or counsellors in schools? Why or why not?

No answer given.

Some independent B.C. schools receive up to 50 percent of the funding given to public schools. Should B.C. continue to subsidize private and faith-based schools?

No answer given.

Should B.C. bring back letter grades on report cards?

Yes

What should be done with the Burrard Thermal site?

The Burrard Thermal site presents a unique opportunity for redevelopment that benefits the entire community. Any decision on its future should prioritize input from local residents and ensure that it aligns with the needs of the region. Whether it’s transformed into a hub for green energy, repurposed for community use, or developed in a way that boosts local infrastructure, the goal should be to create long-term value for the people of Port Moody and the Tri-Cities. The province must work closely with local governments and the community to ensure any plans are sustainable, environmentally responsible, and serve the best interests of future generations.

How will you improve government transparency?

The Conservative Party of BC will: Focus on growing private sector jobs in the real economy, not more taxes or more debt. Conduct a Taxpayer Respect Audit to eliminate wasteful government spending and streamline services. Differentiate between public and private sector jobs in government reports to ensure transparency.

Given the recent news of the RCMP officers facing discipline for racist comments in a group chat, what will you do to ensure police officers can be trusted to enforce laws equitably?

While it is important to hold individuals accountable for inappropriate behavior, I believe that meaningful change must come through collaboration with law enforcement leadership. We need to work closely with RCMP leadership and other law enforcement bodies to ensure proper training, oversight, and accountability measures are in place. By consulting with those responsible for setting standards within the police force, we can ensure that policies promote fairness, transparency, and respect for all members of the community.

Do you accept the scientific consensus that human actions contribute to climate change? How will you ensure we reduce our emissions?

No answer given.

What steps should the next government take to balance B.C.’s budget?

The same steps they would take to balance their chequebook: prioritize essential spending, cut waste, and ensure that we’re not spending more than we’re bringing in. Just like households, the government must make tough decisions, focus on core essential priorities, and eliminate inefficiencies. By responsibly managing taxpayer dollars, we can get B.C.’s budget back on track without burdening future generations.

Regarding TransLink, do you believe the current funding model is broken? If so, how will your government rectify the situation?

While the NDP leaves commuters wondering if the service they need will still exist, the Conservative Party of BC will: Fully fund TransLink for two years to maintain uninterrupted, reliable service.

Commuters shouldn’t need to worry about whether they can get to work or school. We will ensure full funding for transit as the financial model is audited.

Audit and reform TransLink’s financial model to ensure the long-term availability of funding that not just maintains service, but fuels expansion for the future.