Premier John Horgan used his speech to B.C. municipal leaders Friday to pitch a 香蕉视频直播榶es香蕉视频直播� vote in the coming referendum on electoral reform, while steering clear of his government香蕉视频直播檚 controversial tax policies.

Horgan was warmly received by Union of B.C. Municipalities delegates in Whistler, promising to be 香蕉视频直播渁 partner, not a senior partner香蕉视频直播� as B.C. works on ways to protect communities from wildfires. The second straight summer of flooding and widespread fires means a new approach is needed, and he pleaded with local politicians to share their ideas as the government prepares its next budget.

Horgan described flying up and down the lower Fraser River during the flood threat this spring, with local opposition MLAs. He pledged to tackle the hugely expensive work needed to strengthen flood control and helping communities reduce their interface forest fire risk.

香蕉视频直播淭his is not another review, we need your ideas,香蕉视频直播� Horgan said. 香蕉视频直播淲e need a call to action.香蕉视频直播�

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Horgan described his evolution on proportional representation, which he opposed in 2005 and now promotes as mail-in ballots are prepared for a November vote.

After four years in opposition to 香蕉视频直播渁 government that was dismissive of everything I brought forward,香蕉视频直播� he supported proportional representation in 2009 and is now promoting it in cooperation with the B.C. Green Party.

B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson described the premier香蕉视频直播檚 speech as a rehash of well-known policies of the minority NDP government, and took issue with Horgan香蕉视频直播檚 theme of a new, more co-operative approach to governing.

The referendum has been dealt with in a 香蕉视频直播渉igh-handed香蕉视频直播� manner, with no maps and little time for people to consider the options, Wilkinson said.

An improved federal-provincial infrastructure fund for B.C. communities doesn香蕉视频直播檛 make up for a huge tax increase faced by municipalities and businesses next year due to the NDP government香蕉视频直播檚 payroll tax for health care, he said.

B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver reiterated his opposition to a $400-a-year rebate for renters, in spite of a potential 4.5 per cent rent increase allowed under provincial legislation. Handing out money to renters only allows landlords to raise rents when they might not otherwise, Weaver said.

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