National

B.C. budget spends more on health, housing

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Mar, 2023 11:41 AM

VICTORIA - The British Columbia government’s new budget will spend more as the economy shrinks.

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says now isn’t the time to start making cuts, so there is more money for things like health care, addiction treatment, foster care, rent control and family supports.

Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon says the proposed budget is a disappointment and people feel no better today than they did six years ago.

The B.C. Chamber of Commerce says the government's focus on spending on social and community issues comes at the expense of businesses that face increased costs.

Fiona Famulak, our President and CEO, was in Victoria today for BC's Budget 2023.

"Today’s budget did not take meaningful steps towards addressing the concerns that we have raised.”

Read the news release here: https://t.co/6pbCgK3zVl #BCBiz #BCBusiness #BCCC #PplWhoPowerBC
— BC Chamber (@bcchamberofcom) February 28, 2023

Housing advocates say the money promised in the budget shows the government’s strong commitment to tackling the housing crisis.

And in what is a first for Canada, B.C. will make prescription contraception free to all residents starting April 1, in what the group AccessBC says will save the government about $95 million a year through reductions in abortions, prenatal visits and social supports.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Fiscal room tightening as economy teeters

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said affordability and making Canada competitive were his priorities heading into this cabinet meeting. Ottawa is insisting on accountability for any new health funding and Trudeau has not publicly committed to meet the premiers' demands.

Fiscal room tightening as economy teeters

Man in distress pours milk on his face in a grocery store, turns out he had been victim of an assault

On January 17th at approximately 5:50 pm the New Westminster Police were called to the 800 block of Carnarvon Street to assist a man in distress who was pouring milk on his face inside a grocery store. Officers learned that the man was the victim of an assault and moments earlier he had been assaulted with bear spray in an attempted robbery.

Man in distress pours milk on his face in a grocery store, turns out he had been victim of an assault

Trudeau mum on sending tanks to Ukraine

Nearly a year after Russia's invasion, most members of the NATO military alliance have said they're in favour of giving Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv, but Germany has not. As a major supplier of the tanks, Germany requires that allies seek permission before re-exporting them to other countries, and Berlin has warned against provoking Russia.

Trudeau mum on sending tanks to Ukraine

Parks Canada announces upgrades in mountain parks

The $71 million in federal funding for Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay national parks includes upgrades to critical infrastructure, such as Parks Canada dispatch for emergency calls, as well as to several roadways and bridges. It also includes improvements in the community of Lake Louise, Alta.

Parks Canada announces upgrades in mountain parks

Inquest into suicide of VPD officer begins

Jennifer Chan told the inquest she believed her sister's mental health problems stemmed from sexual assault and extortion by her co-worker, culminating in her death by suicide in January 2019.

Inquest into suicide of VPD officer begins

Telus merges mobility, home service into new unit

Telus says the change, which sees Mobility Solutions and Home Solutions & Consumer Excellence becoming one under the new title, represents the next chapter for the company. The company says Jim Senko, executive vice-president and former president of Mobility Solutions, is now chief product officer of the consumer solutions unit, a newly created role.