Videos: In his first news conference as NDP leader, Adrian Dix says his party can win the next election

In his first news conference since winning the B.C. NDP leadership, Adrian Dix said that he plans to offer voters a "clear agenda" on the economy in the next election. That includes a ban on the export of raw logs.

In addition, Dix said that he will roll back increases in long-term care fees for seniors. He claimed that these higher fees were introduced by the B.C. Liberal government to offset subsidies to banks.

Measures like these, he declared, will lead his party to victory in the next provincial election.

"It will be by ensuring we have a public health-care system that's worthy of its name—that seniors don't have the worst level of care standards in long-term care in Canada," Dix noted.

He also promised to offer clear direction with his party's educational policies, including telling voters where the NDP stands on class size and class composition.

"We're going to stop fighting with teachers and start working with teachers to make classrooms better—teachers and parents and students," he said.

Adrian Dix explains how the NDP can win the next election.

He also expressed opposition to the proposed Enbridge pipeline, which would bring oil from the Alberta tar sands to Kitimat for export through Queen Charlotte Sound. In addition, Dix said that he's opposed to offshore oil and gas development.

Some pundits have taken pot shots at Dix for his serious demeanour, but he offered no regrets about this.

"There's no joking around on issues of children in care," he said. "I think a lot of people got to know me in politics through that issue. I make no apologies for being serious about those things."

At the same time, Dix said he can have fun like everyone else. And to satisfy the Vancouver newspapers, he half-jokingly promised to smile more often.

But then he got serious again, pointing out that politicians should be telling stories about people being on waitlists for infant development. And when this is done properly, he believes it will lead to electoral success.

"You're going to win elections because you're going to make people understand the connection between people and what you're saying," he claimed.

Adrian Dix doesn't apologize for being serious.

He also criticized Premier Christy Clark and Finance Minister Kevin Falcon for supporting the harmonized sales tax.

Dix said it would be "incredibly disrespectul, having misled people so fundamentally in the election campaign" to hold an election before the referendum on the tax.

"People know where I stand: I'm against the HST," Dix said. "People know where Christy Clark and Kevin Falcon stand. They're passionate, aggressive supporters of the HST. We'll see how it goes."

Later, he added that he respects Clark and Falcon, even though he disagrees with them on various issues.

Adrian Dix says that Christy Clark should not call an election until after the referendum on the HST.

For more on what Dix said at his first news conference, see this video below:

Comments

3 Comments

virgil hammer

Apr 18, 2011 at 2:12pm

what a headline!
inspiring leadership, he should have backdated it to 2009

daryl2

Apr 18, 2011 at 2:25pm

Wow, Adrian Dix just got my vote. He presents as bright, articulate and passionate about civil society - more people voting in elections, campaigns about issues instead of personalities. Bring on the next general election Christy, I want to get to work to defeat you and elect him.

glen p robbins

Apr 18, 2011 at 5:43pm

No matter his many detractors he is probably the best choice to beat Christy. First, Adrian Dix is much more intelligent than she is - and will murder her on policy - and in debate. Second, he is from Vancouver - Christy is from Vancouver so she will have to beat him in Vancouver. Third he has the unions and they are pissed with the BC Liberals and looking hard for spoils. The Unions will be lining up to support him - he has a hammer in his hands (Unions represent around 30% of voters while big business and management represent less than 20%). WAC Bennett was able to take about 9% of his 41% averages from Unions---Campbell pulled off some of the same tactic ---- that's over - done - the provincial unions will be militant.

Fourth, the BC Conservatives under John Cummins may not be hugely successful but they will be successful relative to splitting the vote. The BC Liberals have been in power for a decade and the public by and large does NOT listen to business. The vote split argument simply won't be enough in the face of a weakening BC Liberal Party in any event. There is only so much popcorn polls and newspaper brainwashing can do in the midst of so much other contrary sentiment inside the voter - with most of the activation saying ok I'll give the NDP a chance.

The Greens simply won't do better than before - there is no evidence to suggest they will grow and more to suggest they might shrink. The NDP knows it will get at least 40% with Dix.

Dix's tent is tighter than Christy's tent. The next wild card is Chris Delaney's BC First Party. If Chris runs or someone with some zip (never mind credibility its now all gone out the window as criteria) than that party could take 5-10% right off the table -- and what if Vander Zalm decided to come back? Honestly, Christy or Adrian are more honest than he-----------I don't think so. There is a very significant segment of the population which is sick of Vancouver controlling the province - that will be an issue for certain---but won't be advertised by the press - just as New Brunswick wants out with Quebec is a new potential reality federally.

Christy needs a seat - has ducked into a by election in the heat of a federal election after getting voted in as leader/Premier is a private club like setting (same as NDP). All the talk of an early provincial election isn't going to help her reputation with the public - who want to see if she is remotely competent to govern even a little.