ItB次元官网网址檚 time to spend money now, because it wonB次元官网网址檛 be there next year.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 the overarching message of the first Throne Speech delivered by Premier David EbyB次元官网网址檚 government on Monday (Feb. 6).

B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Lt. Governor Janet Austin told the Legislature that the governmentB次元官网网址檚 budget surplus of $5.7 billion wonB次元官网网址檛 be there next year as economists are predicting a global slow-down in the face of inflation and other forces.

B次元官网网址淵our government has a proactive plan to deal with these global trends,B次元官网网址� Austin said. B次元官网网址淚t will put this yearB次元官网网址檚 surplus to work for people B次元官网网址� to support them now and for the long-term.B次元官网网址�

By law, surplus money not spent by March 31 must go toward B.C.B次元官网网址檚 debt.

B次元官网网址淪ome say we should respond to a downturn by pulling back, reducing services, or by making people pay out of pocket for health care,B次元官网网址� Austin said, adding that would only reduce support for people who are only now finding their footing after the pandemic.

The speech promises B次元官网网址渞ecord new investmentsB次元官网网址� in public health care, housing for middle-class families and public transit among other issues including public safety, while helping to reduce the cost of living for ordinary British Columbians.

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The government also promises to build a greener economy by introducing a skills-training program called Future Ready, improve transportation and invest in hydrogen.

Austin said the government will not turn its strategy to build more affordable housing into laws until the fall, after having worked with local governments, homebuilders and communities.

New potential promises include new pay transparency legislation, new childcare support measures for parents with school-aged children and tougher penalties for rich tax evaders and corrupt officials from around the world who use B.C. as a safe haven for their money.

Austin said government will send B次元官网网址渁 strong message by seizing their homes and profits,B次元官网网址� which will be used to support B次元官网网址淏ritish Columbians who want strong, safe, and secure communities.B次元官网网址�

New legislation in the spring session to address B次元官网网址渕alicious and exploitative non-consensual sharing of intimate images,B次元官网网址� a practice often described as B次元官网网址榬evenge porn,B次元官网网址� was also highlighted Monday.

AustinB次元官网网址檚 speech only included two references to the forest industry and four references to rural B.C., with promises for RCMP in remote and rural communities and an undefined B次元官网网址渞ural community strategyB次元官网网址� that would B次元官网网址渞espond to the unique needs of a growing rural British ColumbiaB次元官网网址� without much more detail.

wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
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