B.C. Liberal Budget Offers Little For Working Families

For Immediate Release

Feb. 20, 2007

VICTORIA—The B.C. Liberal government’s budget offers little support for B.C.’s working families, New Democrat Finance critic Bruce Ralston said today.

“In last week’s Throne Speech, the Premier promised B.C. would be a leader in climate change,” said Ralston, the MLA for Surrey-Whalley. “But the budget failed to follow through on his green promises. Instead, the Campbell government has delivered a budget that does nothing to address global warming and does little to address the challenges facing working families today.”

Ralston added that the budget does not adequately address the B.C.’s growing health care crisis. “Under the Campbell government’s watch, hospitals are pushed to the limit, ERs are gridlocked, and private care has flourished, prompting the Premier’s own hand-picked appointees to resign in protest.

“The Finance Minister claims that health care funding is adequate. But her budget does nothing to meet the long-term needs of our health care system,” said Ralston.

Ralston said he was disappointed by the government’s housing announcement. “Rather than making a long-term investment in housing for the homeless, this government’s solution is to create more shelter beds – temporary beds that do not provide the homeless with a place to call their own,” said Ralston.

“And by converting existing social housing to supportive housing units, this government threatens to cut the number of existing affordable housing for low-income families even further.”

Ralston noted that the Campbell government has offered little in the way of support for middle income families. “Today’s budget provided no support for British Columbians seeking relief for the growing costs of a post-secondary education, and it provided no support for families seeking quality childcare.

“The Campbell government has a responsibility to ensure that all British Columbians share in our province’s prosperity,” said Ralston. “When will the Premier come to that realization, and begin governing for all British Columbians?”

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Contact: Jaime Matten 250-882-8770