Carole James sets agenda in Leaders Debate

Carole James sets agenda in Leaders Debate _________________________________________________________________ _Defensive Campbell ducks answers on issues that matter to BC families _ Carole James set the agenda in a strong performance in tonight's leaders debate, where she clearly showed British Columbians that eight years of Gordon Campbell is enough. While Gordon Campbell spent the debate ducking and weaving, James was strong, confident and spoke directly to ordinary people about their needs. And while Campbell refused to answer basic questions about his record, James put forward a strong vision to help BC families through tough times. _Broken promises on long-term care _ Unbelievably, Gordon Campbell continued to spread misinformation about seniors care. His claim that he built 5,000 long-term care beds has long been discredited by the BC Medical Association. Even his own Health Minister has confirmed that Campbell has failed to live up to his promise. Carole James has committed to promptly re-open 300 long-term care beds closed by Campbell and build 3,000 more in partnership with the public and non-profit sector over four years. _BC Rail scandal _ A notable moment was Campbell's effort to dodge tough questions posed by James about the BC Rail scandal. More than five years after the unprecedented raids on the Legislature, Campbell still refuses to come clean on the biggest political scandal in BC history. _Tough economic times hurt BC families _ James challenged Gordon Campbell to admit that his policies are hurting BC families in tough times. Figures from Statistics Canada show that BC has lost 80,000 full-time jobs since January - 23,000 full and part-time jobs in March alone. Campbell looked shocked when he was taken to task for his own 54 per cent pay increase. James was firm in her resolve to increase the minimum wage to help BC's lowest-paid workers, who have had their wages frozen for the last eight years. _Campbell abandoned rural BC _ James took Campbell to task for his neglect of rural BC, in particular his inaction in the forestry sector. BC has lost over 34,000 direct jobs in forestry since 2001. _Crime and community safety _ Campbell refused to answer James' specific questions about his budget cuts to prosecutors, correction and courts. James reiterated her promise to add 168 new police officers, create an anti-gang prosecution team, restrict the revolving bail door for known gang members, push for tougher laws and penalties for gang-related crime and improve support for victims of crime.==============================================