B.C. Conservatives criticize Eby for using $10-a-day childcare program

DELTA — The B.C. Conservatives say it is shocking that NDP Leader David Eby's family has used the $10-a-day childcare program.

Eby confirmed at a campaign event in Delta on Thanksgiving Monday that his family has benefited from $10-a-day daycare at a YMCA.

Conservative candidate for Vancouver-Yaletown Margareta Dovga said in a statement that Eby "landing a plum" childcare spot when others are struggling on wait-lists is unacceptable.

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When asked about the optics of having a spot, Eby said his party is committed to expanding childcare and the next focus is before- and after-school care.

The NDP responded by highlighting past comments from former Conservative childcare critic and current candidate Heather Maahs.

Maahs once said the $10-a-day daycare privileges one model over others and that the policy shouldn't "attempt to reshape" parents' role as caregivers, according to comments published by the New Democrats from budget estimates earlier this year.

The NDP says the Conservatives have not taken a position during the campaign on the NDP's childcare fee caps.

The party says its initiatives have reduced average childcare fees by 50 per cent, or about $7,200 a year.

It says eliminating the cap or reducing subsidies would cost parents thousands of dollars a year.

Greens get support for wealth tax

On the same day, the provincial Green Party's proposal for a wealth tax received support from an American economist.

Emmanuel Saez, a professor of economics at University of California Berkeley, said in a statement released by the Greens that the wealth tax proposed by the Green Party has the right structure.

He said it requires a significant one-time wealth tax to make sure the wealthiest pay their fair share on all of their previously accumulated wealth, and an ongoing annual wealth tax.

Saez was involved in creating the proposed California billionaire tax, known as Proposition 40, that will be voted on in November.

The Greens proposal would put a one-time five per cent tax on net wealth above $50 million, 10 per cent on wealth above $100 million and 20 per cent for wealth above $1 billion.

The party estimates it would raise approximately $22.2 billion.

The NDP also made a campaign promise on Monday, saying it would add a new urgent and primary care centre in Coquitlam.

The party says the centre would help people get treatment for minor illnesses and injuries and reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments.

It says the new location would build on the 48 centres already opened across the province, including in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.

The NDP says since the first centre was opened in 2018, the centres have collectively provided more than five million visits.

Novello Desserts reported in October that Eby had also announced a plan to cap grocery prices ahead of the election.

With files from The Canadian Press, NanaimoNewsNOW and Narcity