Rick Glumac BC NDP Candidate Port Moody Coquitlam

Port Moody – Burquitlam NDP candidate Rick Glumac was first elected MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam in 2017, and represents communities in Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam and Port Moody. Rick attributes a childhood spent exploring the outdoors as the basis of his respect for the environment and ultimately his decision to enter politics in Port Moody.

Nancy Furness – Local Journalism Initiative

When BC Hydro was being privatized under the BC Liberal government and people opposed to this stood to together to make their voice heard, Rick says “that’s what made me start believing in what politics is”. He believes NDP is the ‘party which fights for the people’.

Rick says he opposed selling off public lands in Port Moody, including land around Eagle Ridge Hospital and instead successfully advocated for expanding the hospital’s emergency room. He also worked to get an Urgent and Primary Centre in his community. Rick talks about the challenges with the healthcare system and says healthcare requires long-term commitments. The NDP is focusing on listening to doctors and has brought many new doctors and nurses into the system.

Affordability is on everyone’s mind. Rick says “the BC NDP has reduced taxes for 98% of British Columbians” and has also removed hidden taxes of the former BC Liberal government by removing MSP premiums and bridge tolls, reducing ICBC rates and stabilizing electricity costs. Ricks feels new Provincial Housing legislation which mandates minimum density requirements, allows municipalities to set affordable housing requirements, along with support for infrastructure will help ease the affordability crisis in his riding.

Rick says ‘axing’ the Carbon Tax would only happen if the Federal Government removes the requirement first. Then new ways would need to be found to support emissions reductions in a more effective way. He says “Our commitment to reduce emissions in not in any way diminished by just changing a policy”.

“There is so much opportunity being on the forefront of clean energy” according to Rick. BC’s plan includes investing in BC Hydro, electrification, new sustainable energy projects, and a cross-border green hydrogen project.

Rick expresses concern about the possibility of a BC Conservative leader who makes irresponsible tax cuts, questions the international scientific consensus behind climate change and who’s plan for the economy centres on resource extraction.