BC budget highlights
February 19, 2009 by Public input
Filed under Government, Local news
BC Finance Minister, Colin Hansen. Budget 2009. February 17, 2009
Among the highlights of the budget are:
- $14 billion in infrastructure investment to create 88,000 jobs.
- Of this money, $1.3 billion is earmarked for renovations and upgrading of schools, $1.7 billion for post-secondary initiatives, $2.5 billion for health care facilities, and $2.3 billion for transportation projects.
- The province has identified $1.9 billion in administrative and other cost savings within government operations.
- Approximately 90 per cent of new spending over the next three years will go to health services, to improve access and increase the number of hospital beds.
- $351 million in new money for social services, including income assistance, programs for adults with developmental disabilities, funding for children with special needs and more money for child care subsidies.
- $244 million in new operating funds for post-secondary institutions over the next three years.
- $546 million in revenues from the carbon tax in 2009-2010. The $10-per-tonne tax increases to $15 in July, and $20 in 2010. Carbon tax revenues will grow to $968 million by 2011-2012.
- A new Northern and Rural Homeowner Benefit worth $200 per year, beginning in 2011 after the temporary property tax deferment program ends.
“One of the key elements of the budget is that while it does allow for a deficit, the government intends to keep its deficit as small as possible,” Mr. McKee said. “The government will run a deficit of $495 million for the coming year and another deficit of $245 million in 2010-2011 before returning to a balanced budget the following year.” Budget 2009 sets out a plan to take full advantage of four key opportunities in the coming economic recovery: being a leader in the new, green economy; building on the Asia-Pacific Gateway Strategy; becoming a centre for international commerce; and, capitalizing on the benefits of hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Submitted by Mark McKee, BC Liberal Candidate CVNews related links: • BC Government budget highlights (PDF) • BC Government – Budget 2009
Mr. McKee, I read the above budget and if I didn’t know better, I would think it was a fairly good one as budgets go. Lots of promises. However I see that the Liberal government has earmarked 4.8 billion dollars for health care and you will forgive me for not believing it one bit. If you have been following the Columbia Valley News article and many comments from readers regarding the deplorable conditions in the long term health facility in Invermere specifically, but all over the province in general, you perhaps would be so kind as to respond to the charges that the Liberals under Gordon Campbell have failed miserably to keep the promises made last time around.
I doubt that you will have much fun on the campaign trail this spring, what with having to make up excuses left and right for the failings of the people we trusted with our tax money.
I am taking a great interest in the health care scene since I myself am a senior and reasonably intelligent. The last thing on earth I would want is to end up in one of your facilities.
Another thing I am hearing is that the ER in the Invermere Hospital was at the top of the list for money to improve the facility and now seems to have been lost in your government’s decision to take over whatever they can get their hands on.
Another tap dance seems to be in order to explain away that one too.
Respectfully,
Lynn Knell
They don’t clarify what the money for income assistance
persons will be used.
They present a lot of statistics but don’t mention how
it will be implemented.
Right, they call themselves a transparent, and accountable
government for what???
I think they are outright imbeciles.