Time to Breed a Budget Watchdog for B.C.
When Canadians wondered about the real cost of the military mission in Afghanistan, they got the answer from parliament's independent budget officer. About $14 billion to $18 billion, roughly double the range reported by the politicians, according to the report from PBO Kevin Page.
When Americans wanted to know the real cost of President Barack Obama's health-care plan, they got the answer from a similar office in their country. The congressional budget office pegged it at $1 trillion, a number that forced a rewrite of the proposal that is ongoing.
Once booming, B.C. to post $3-billion shortfall
Rod Mickleburgh
Vancouver — From Thursday's Globe and Mail Last updated on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 02:55AM EDT
British Columbia, not so long ago a Canadian leader in job creation and booming economic returns, is finding itself far from immune to recessionary winds.
What was once projected to be a modest $495-million government deficit for the year is now ballooning into the billions, B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen signalled Wednesday, as he prepared to bring down an updated budget at the beginning of September.
MLA DAVE HAYER SHOULD STAND UP FOR CONSTITUENTS CONCERNED ABOUT HST, SAYS NDP
Consumers and small businesses in Surrey are being asked to pay the price for the B.C. Liberal government’s betrayal SURREY – Liberal MLA Dave Hayer’s weak attempt to defend the Campbell government’s new Harmonized Sales Tax is a betrayal of his constituents who are calling on him to stand up for their concerns, the New Democrats said today.
“Many families and small businesses in Surrey will be hurt by the HST. Mr. Hayer should know that introducing a new tax when families are struggling to make ends meet, without any public consultation, is outrageous,” New Democrat finance critic Bruce Ralston said.
