Opposition questions spending as Eby pledges $1.2 billion in first week
The official opposition in British Columbia has set its sights on government spending priorities after new Prime Minister David Evey “launched” in his first week in office, injecting more than $1 billion in new funding. I’m here.
In a series of announcements, Eby pledged $400 million in new BC Hydro credits, $500 million in new affordable credits, $76 million in public safety initiatives and $230 million in RCMP funding.
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BC now forecasts 2022-23 surplus amid economic uncertainty and COVID-19 recovery
The $1.2 billion in total spending does not include costs that may be related to the government’s new housing laws.
“I don’t think there is any connection between spending more money and getting better results,” BC Liberal opposition leader Kevin Falcon said Thursday.
“The problem is clear by every measure. In crime, it’s the worst you’ve ever seen, and in healthcare, it’s the worst you’ve ever seen.”
British Columbia Finance Minister Selina Robinson is due to report on the state’s second quarter financials on Friday.
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The update is expected to show the state’s economy is recovering faster than expected from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Over the past five years, we’ve been very careful about our decisions as a government, and that’s why we’re in good financial shape,” Robinson said.
“Building on all the investments we’ve made over the past few years, make sure that the people of British Columbia have the ability to take care of themselves.”
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But some observers warn that locking down large amounts of spending today could come at a price in the future.
Quest University political science professor Stewart Perst told Global News, “There is an offsetting risk of committing to additional spending that will be needed in the near future if the situation deteriorates in the near future.”
BC’s first quarter accounting update released in September showed the state on track to generate a modest surplus of $706 million in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Opposition questions spending as Eby pledges $1.2 billion in first week
Source link Opposition questions spending as Eby pledges $1.2 billion in first week
