The Rural B.C. Party says it’s not working against the interests of urban residents.

To the contrary, the party claims it has a solution to the housing crisis that plagues big cities across the province.

In its policy framework for the October 24, 2020 election, Rural B.C. Party explains that the key lies in “sustainable rural development”.

“If the current 1%-2% annual population growth rate in B.C. can be redirected from the urban areas to rural B.C., our urban areas will have a chance to ‘catch up’ on their housing and infrastructure needs,” according to the document.

“In turn,” the policy framework continues, “rural B.C. will see a gradual but sustained ‘boom’, with a ‘rural renaissance’ in terms of economic diversification and development of services and infrastructure.”

Rural B.C. Party was co-founded by former Village of Telkwa mayor Darcy Repen, and current Houston councillor Jonathan Van Barneveld.

Repen, who was Telkwa mayor from 2014 to 2018, is the party’s sole candidate in the October 24 election.

Repen is running in Stikine.

In its policy framework, the party declares that the “future” of the province lies in rural B.C.

According to the party, “supporting the livability of our rural communities is a good thing for all of B.C. as it provides options for urban businesses and residents who may be seeking the unique quality and pace of life that Rural BC offers”.

Moreover, regional growth strategies are “long overdue for a thorough review”.

“The opportunities for economic diversification and residential development in rural areas have radically changed in recent years,” the party notes.

Rural B.C. Party formed in 2018 as a reaction to the “neglect” by provincial politicians of the countryside.

“The partisan battle between the Liberals and NDP has resulted in an overwhelming policy bias towards the vote-rich areas of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island,” the party claims.

The party asserts that politicians have paid less attention to the “livability of our communities”.

“Whether it is housing, recreational infrastructure, community gentrification, cultural amenities, or essential social services, we have had to fight tooth and nail to maintain even the barest minimum,” the party declares.

“By comparison,” it adds, “Provincial support for these amenities in urban areas has been much greater.”

The party also calls for the creation of a new ministry dedicated to rural development.

“This Ministry should preferably be headquartered in Prince George, to allow access for more Rural British Columbians,” Rural B.C. Party states.