The B.C. New Democrats have signalled that they intend to spend money on British Columbians, announcing massive investments in education, health care and affordable housing in the coming year.
After 16 years of Liberal budgets that were informed by fiscal prudence, the New Democrats are assisted by a provincial economy that is stronger, by every key measure, than the Liberals predicted in February, as well as by income-tax hikes on the wealthiest British Columbians and a rise in corporate taxes.
However, the reckoning of some of the NDP's biggest promises – a $10-a-day child-care program, the elimination of Medical Service Plan premiums and a $400 annual subsidy for renters – was left for another day. Paying to get those promises under way would have far exceeded this budget's projected surplus and the relatively thin surpluses forecast for the next three years.
Gary Mason: With its first budget, the B.C NDP has it easy – for now
Read more: Highlights from the B.C. NDP government's first budget
"We can't turn back the clock of 16 years overnight," Finance Minister Carole James said.
Ms. James said the political turmoil that followed the May election left little time to overhaul the current year's budget, and major changes will have to wait until next year, leaving time for consultation.
"I understand people's impatience."
The budget update is based on a fiscal plan the former BC Liberal government introduced in February. In addition to raising taxes on high-income earners and corporations, it unlocks more spending in classrooms, new money for affordable housing and housing for the homeless and additional resources to fight the fentanyl overdose crisis.
The NDP formed a minority government with support from the third-place BC Greens eight weeks ago. A disagreement between those two parties over the shape of the child-care program prompted Ms. James to sidestep the $10-a-day commitment, saying the details will be subject to negotiations with the Greens.
Welcome to it British Columbia....you voted for part of it but not ALL of it.There was not a box on the ballot that said "I vote for a filthy left wing Socialist Government" that will raise taxes and spend more than they have with regards to the money coming in to Government coffers.
How do you like that Welfare vote...promise the filthy proletariate that sucks money from the the Safety net another $100 a month......hire another 3500 teachers who only want 17 students per class whilst teaching them Social Engineering doctrines......so much more important to brainwash kids about Climate Change.
Raise the personal tax rates as well as the Corporate rates and of course investment into BC gets driven away......gotta like the NDP's consistency....drive a Province into the ground across the country....yet some fucking idiots still elect them.Thank god Angry Tom Mulcair's Bullshit con job did not get swallowed by idiot voters in Quebec like it did under Layton's BS orange kool aid wave.
I seriously PITY the residents of BC as it may take more than 2 years to get rid of this Orange Cancer that will jack up taxes and spend more money than it brings in and at the same time BLOAT the number of Public Sector Workers.....all of who who are PAID via the money that citizens pay to a wastefull Provincial Government.
SR
After 16 years of Liberal budgets that were informed by fiscal prudence, the New Democrats are assisted by a provincial economy that is stronger, by every key measure, than the Liberals predicted in February, as well as by income-tax hikes on the wealthiest British Columbians and a rise in corporate taxes.
However, the reckoning of some of the NDP's biggest promises – a $10-a-day child-care program, the elimination of Medical Service Plan premiums and a $400 annual subsidy for renters – was left for another day. Paying to get those promises under way would have far exceeded this budget's projected surplus and the relatively thin surpluses forecast for the next three years.
Gary Mason: With its first budget, the B.C NDP has it easy – for now
Read more: Highlights from the B.C. NDP government's first budget
"We can't turn back the clock of 16 years overnight," Finance Minister Carole James said.
Ms. James said the political turmoil that followed the May election left little time to overhaul the current year's budget, and major changes will have to wait until next year, leaving time for consultation.
"I understand people's impatience."
The budget update is based on a fiscal plan the former BC Liberal government introduced in February. In addition to raising taxes on high-income earners and corporations, it unlocks more spending in classrooms, new money for affordable housing and housing for the homeless and additional resources to fight the fentanyl overdose crisis.
The NDP formed a minority government with support from the third-place BC Greens eight weeks ago. A disagreement between those two parties over the shape of the child-care program prompted Ms. James to sidestep the $10-a-day commitment, saying the details will be subject to negotiations with the Greens.
Welcome to it British Columbia....you voted for part of it but not ALL of it.There was not a box on the ballot that said "I vote for a filthy left wing Socialist Government" that will raise taxes and spend more than they have with regards to the money coming in to Government coffers.
How do you like that Welfare vote...promise the filthy proletariate that sucks money from the the Safety net another $100 a month......hire another 3500 teachers who only want 17 students per class whilst teaching them Social Engineering doctrines......so much more important to brainwash kids about Climate Change.
Raise the personal tax rates as well as the Corporate rates and of course investment into BC gets driven away......gotta like the NDP's consistency....drive a Province into the ground across the country....yet some fucking idiots still elect them.Thank god Angry Tom Mulcair's Bullshit con job did not get swallowed by idiot voters in Quebec like it did under Layton's BS orange kool aid wave.
I seriously PITY the residents of BC as it may take more than 2 years to get rid of this Orange Cancer that will jack up taxes and spend more money than it brings in and at the same time BLOAT the number of Public Sector Workers.....all of who who are PAID via the money that citizens pay to a wastefull Provincial Government.
SR
