BC NDP U-turn on Bill 12 following BC United Pressure

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon issued the following statement in response to the NDP government’s decision to retract Bill 12, the Public Health Accountability and Cost Recovery Act, after significant public backlash and legislative advocacy by the Official Opposition:

“Thanks to the unified voice of opposition from BC United, the business community, and concerned citizens across the province, the NDP government has been forced to acknowledge the profound flaws within their poorly planned Bill 12. This decision to pause the bill is a significant victory for transparency, accountability, and sensible governance in British Columbia.

“Bill 12 would have had severe unintended consequences for our local businesses and the broader economy. The government’s latest retreat is not only a win for the business community but for every British Columbian who values fairness and clarity in the law.

“This latest reversal on Bill 12 is part of a continuing pattern where only after sustained pressure from BC United and growing community uproar has the NDP been forced into another significant backdown. These include implementing restrictions on cellphone use in schools, cancelling the billion-dollar museum project and closure of Old Town, halting the NDP’s clawback of autism funding, reversing aspects of their ill-conceived short-term rental ban, and introducing legislation to ban public drug use in parks, schools, and playgrounds.

“Today’s decision reaffirms the BC United Caucus’ effective and results-driven role as B.C.’s Official Opposition, ensuring that the David Eby and the NDP government is held accountable and that their decisions align with the best interest of British Columbians.”