David Eby’s Promises vs. Reality: What Happened to Affordable Housing and BC’s Debt?

 

Introduction:

When David Eby stepped in as Premier of BC, many—including myself—had high hopes for real change, particularly in housing affordability and tackling BC’s social challenges. Yet, as time goes on, there seems to be a growing disconnect between what was promised and what’s been delivered. Instead of a focus on actionable solutions, his communications team seems more interested in deflecting blame onto political opponents like John Rustad.

What Were the Promises?

During his leadership campaign and early days in office, David Eby promised to:

1. Tackle the housing crisis by creating more affordable housing and addressing supply issues.

2. Improve health care, particularly for seniors, with better access to long-term care and support.

3. Build a sustainable economy by utilizing the provincial surplus to invest in key areas like infrastructure, social programs, and public services.

Many of us believed these promises would lead to concrete changes in our everyday lives—particularly in finding affordable places to live. But as time has gone on, it seems like those promises haven’t materialized in the way we expected.

The Reality Today: What Has Been Accomplished?

While there have been efforts on the housing front—like plans for more modular housing and attempts to curb speculation—the results have been underwhelming for many of us trying to find affordable rentals. Housing prices continue to climb, and rent remains unaffordable for too many people. Despite efforts, the housing crisis still feels like it’s getting worse, not better.

On top of that, BC has now gone from having a budget surplus to facing a growing debt. People are asking, "Where did the money go?" How did a province with a surplus end up in this position so quickly? And what are we getting in return?

Where’s the Accountability?

Instead of owning up to these challenges and directly addressing what’s gone wrong, Eby’s social media team seems to focus on attacking opponents like John Rustad, which does little to reassure voters. Deflecting blame and turning political disagreements into the main narrative is only distancing people who are struggling with real issues—like unaffordable housing, poor health care access, and rising costs.

What Should Be Done?

It's time for transparency. Eby’s team needs to step up and:

1. Clearly outline what has been accomplished versus what remains unfinished from the promises he made.

2. Explain the debt situation: How did we go from a surplus to a deficit? What investments were made, and how do they benefit British Columbians in the long run?

3. Refocus on solutions, not political battles. People don’t want to hear about Rustad or the BC United Party—they want to know what’s being done to make their lives better now.

Conclusion:

David Eby has an opportunity to regain trust, but it starts with owning up to the realities and focusing on real solutions instead of political posturing. It’s time for our leaders to show accountability, deliver on their promises, and provide hope to those of us still waiting for the changes we were promised.