The B.C. governmentB次元官网网址檚 billion-dollar contingency fund and more will be needed to get B.C. through the COVID-19 crisis, Finance Minister Carole James says.

James said Tuesday she expects B.C. to fall into deficit as she works with the federal government on a relief package for people who lose employment due to the global coronavirus pandemic. She is waiting for the federal government to decide if it will expand its Employment Insurance program to cover self-employed people and contractors who temporarily lose their jobs.

Finance Min sets out her three priorities for

B次元官网网址� Tom Fletcher (@tomfletcherbc)

Premier John Horgan said the B.C. legislature will resume operation next week, with the first priority to amend the Employment Standards Act so people are not laid off if they have to stay home due to potential virus exposure.

The legislature will have a quorum but not all 87 MLAs will be returning to Victoria to debate bills, Horgan said.

B次元官网网址淲hen I hear the top three things that are on peopleB次元官网网址檚 minds across the province, it inevitably comes down to, B次元官网网址榳ill I continue to receive a paycheque, is my job secure, can I pay my rent, is my business going to get through this?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Horgan said.

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The current B.C. budget has about $1 billion in contingency funds, and the next budget starting April 1 has similar provisions, but those will likely not be enough for this situation, she said.

B次元官网网址淚t is likely we will have a deficit,B次元官网网址� James said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no question about that, but the specifics and the numbers, itB次元官网网址檚 just too early. ItB次元官网网址檚 changing every day.B次元官网网址�

James said she has been meeting with the retail industry, and there is no reason for overstocking supplies as public gatherings and businesses reduce or close to prevent infection.

tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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