The Liberals say...
This is a remarkable time in the history of British Columbia. As hosts of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, we continue to celebrate the many amazing achievements of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The positive and powerful ripple effect of the Olympic Games will be felt for decades. Through Budget 2010, we are capitalizing on these new and future opportunities – while addressing today’s needs and priorities in health and education – through prudent and effective management of B.C.’s finances.
We have not lost sight of the many economic challenges B.C. faces as a result of the recent economic downturn. But we are on our way to recovery. We are meeting our economic targets, creating jobs and delivering the vital services British Columbians depend on. And, as we advance our fiscal plan we remain on track to return to balanced budgets by 2013.
Health services remain a top priority. Budget 2010 provides an additional $2 billion for health care with total spending reaching $17.9 billion over the next three years. Providing for health care now represents 42 per cent or nearly half of all government spending.
To help support these vital health care services, Budget 2010 commits to allocate every dollar raised through the HST plus four other revenue streams to health care spending, when the HST comes into effect later this year.
In education, per pupil funding will rise from $8,200 this year to an estimated $8,301 by 2010/11, the highest ever. Funding of $1.88 billion will be maintained for post-secondary education.
Early childhood education creates brighter prospects for all our children. Budget 2010 reaffirms government’s commitment to introduce voluntary, full-day kindergarten for five-year-olds. The program is being phased-in starting this September, and as it becomes fully operational annual funding will rise to $129 million by 2012.
As another support for families, a new property tax deferral program for homeowners with children under the age of 18 is being introduced. Eligible homeowners will have the option of deferring their provincial and local property taxes in recognition of the high cost of raising a family. This program will come into effect in the next few months.
An additional $26 million in funding over three years has been set aside for child-care subsidies, which offsets the costs of child care for about 28,000 children every month.
Through Budget 2010, the government continues to invest in job-creating projects such as highways, schools, bridges, hospitals and other needed infrastructure throughout B.C. Since October 2008, $5.3 billion has been committed to over 850 accelerated capital projects. This is generating and protecting approximately 34,000 construction jobs over the life of the projects.
To maintain B.C.’s leadership in addressing climate change, Budget 2010 commits $100 million to climate action and clean energy development that will support new jobs and investments in B.C. communities, while at the same time lowering greenhouse gas emissions. An additional $35 million will be invested in the successful LiveSmart BC program for household energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits.
Budget 2010 also commits $60 million for the development of the arts and youth sports. The new Sports and Arts Legacy will dedicate $30 million over three years to increased participation in sport, with an emphasis on youth, and improved athlete and coach development. The other $30 million will be used to enhance opportunities for British Columbians in the arts, including participation in music, theatre, visual arts, dance and digital media.
Building on the legacy of the most successful winter Olympics in history, we are positioning B.C. for an even more prosperous future and a quality of life that is second to none.
The New Democrats say…
The latest B.C. Liberal budget has failed to provide a long-term strategy for economic growth as British Columbia enters a period of tentative and fragile recovery.
Today’s budget shows the B.C. Liberals have no post-Olympic strategy to create jobs and opportunities for British Columbians. Instead, they delivered a budget that cuts vital public services and brings in the HST.
The 2010 budget fails to invest in the fundamentals B.C. needs to build a strong, vibrant and sustainable future.
We saw no additional investments in innovation, research and development, or post-secondary education.
The budget also failed to address the growing social inequality we’ve seen under the B.C. Liberals. There was nothing in this budget to address child poverty, the growing income gap, or lack of affordable housing.
Finance critic Bruce Ralston said the latest B.C. Liberal attempt to sell the HST to an unconvinced public is worthy of a gold medal.
Their justifications for the HST get more frantic by the day. Now they’re saying they’re bringing in the HST to fund health care – that’s pure distortion to try and cover up their budget deception,” said Ralston.
The 2010 budget has its roots in the provincial election campaign, when the B.C. Liberals misled the public about the state of the province’s finances. Now they’re trying to use the HST and this latest round of cuts to try and cover it up. But British Columbians won’t be fooled.
New Democrats are holding the B.C. Liberals to account for their broken promises. And we’re proposing alternatives to build a strong, modern and sustainable economy that promotes a high standard of living, a healthy environment and quality social programs for all British Columbians.
Post-secondary students face a 28 per cent cut to student aid after the B.C. Liberals broke their election promises and axed funding in this week’s provincial budget.
During the election, the B.C. Liberal government campaigned on the promise to protect funding for advanced education. Now they have backtracked, and are making deep cuts to student aid programs.
In this budget, the Liberals slashed $31 million from Student Support Program Funding. Since the 2009 election, the government has cut funding for student aid 27.4 per cent.
It’s not fair to students. They are being forced to pay for the B.C. Liberals’ election lie and the government’s lack of an economic plan.
B.C. post-secondary institutions are experiencing significant enrolment increases because people want to prepare for the future economy where 75 per cent of jobs will require post-secondary education. We should be making smart investments now in our human capital to remain competitive in the global market and strengthen our economy.
The student unemployment rate is currently at its highest in history. In addition, the cost of a post-secondary education is rising quickly. With the fewest student grants in Canada, many B.C. students are finding themselves without the financial means to attend University or College or to complete their programs.
We need to provide students with incentive to stay in B.C. and help fill the jobs of tomorrow. By taking away student aid programs, the B.C. Liberals are making it that much harder for a young person to receive an education.
The well-being of this province depends on a healthy, educated workforce. But it seems the B.C. Liberals are unable to make that connection, given this latest round of cutbacks to post-secondary funding.
The New Democrats believe that, in order to help drive the ideas and jobs of tomorrow, we must eliminate of barriers to post-secondary education and invest in research and development.
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