Targeted funds in TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 federal budget to increase construction of rental housing adds to B.C.B次元官网网址檚 own effort to increase the supply of affordable homes, B.C. Finance Minister Carole James says.

OttawaB次元官网网址檚 budget commits more than $1 billion to a fund for low-interest loans to builders of rental projects.

B次元官网网址淚 was glad to see the rental housing mentioned in the federal budget, but I havenB次元官网网址檛 seen any long-term plans,B次元官网网址� James said. B.C. launched a 10-year housing plan last week.

James also praised the measure in federal Finance Minister Bill MorneauB次元官网网址檚 budget to increase data collection on housing purchases to identify the beneficial owner behind numbered companies and trusts that buy real estate. B.C.B次元官网网址檚 budget last week increased the foreign buyer tax from 15 to 20 per cent, and introduced CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first speculation tax on empty homes, in a bid to cool down high urban housing prices and encourage long-term rentals.

But the federal budgetB次元官网网址檚 multi-year spending plan doesnB次元官网网址檛 begin immediately, with Morneau continuing to deal with deficits three times as big as what he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised in 2015.

James was also concerned about immediate effects of federal spending on other areas of interest to B.C., including child care and preparing for the legalization of marijuana.

B次元官网网址淲e put $1 billion into child care, a major investment into helping women back into the workforce,B次元官网网址� James said. B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 a long-term plan and long-term funds are going to be necessary.B次元官网网址�

MorneauB次元官网网址檚 budget includes $65 million to provide education on marijuana use. James said education is needed, as other jurisdictions have found, but B.C. needs help with licensing marijuana production and roadside enforcement of cannabis-impaired drivers.