The British Columbia government's own press release on today's provincial budget had the headline, “Budget 2009 builds stability, confidence for the future.”
Numerous interest groups attend each year's budget lock-up, ready to sift through the details and offer their own opinion to reporters. Many of them come armed with computers and printers, ready to put those opinions in black and white.
Following are a selection of headlines from various of those press releases:
A budget to weather the storm: Certified Management Accountants
Public services under pressure in provincial budget, says BCGEU
Economic downturn offers no relief to residential electricity ratepayers. Provincial budget forcasts [sic] additional rate increases, says BC Citizens for Public Power
Budget 2009 represents a prudent approach to uncertain economic times: B.C. Chamber of Commerce
BC Liberal budget fails to invest in children: B.C. Teacher's Federation
Budget supports competitiveness and clean technology: Greater Victoria Development Agency
Budget ’09 fails to recognize recession realities: CUPE
Budget ignores true depth of economic crisis and hardship: BCFED
Core of climate plan intact but environmental groups say budget lacks green stimulus
Carbon Tax survives—but rest of BC budget bad news for environment says Wilderness Committee
Election budget 2009 leaves health authorities hanging until 2011: BC Health Coalition
BC budget fails to address post-secondary education concerns: Student Society of UBC
Budget misses opportunity for bear watching and other ecotourism: Humane Society International
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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Crawford
3 years ago
FPSE isn't happy either:
Cindy Oliver of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators has issued a release saying: "British Columbians were looking for answers in this budget and the Minister is just offering up a fiscal shell game": http://www.fpse.ca/news/fpse-news/fiscal-shell-game-leaves-post-secondary-empty-handed
VancouverPointGreen
3 years ago
Where's the stimulus?
While Obama signs in an aggressive stimulus plan south of the border, the BC Liberals continue to subsidize the natural resource sector, cut public spending in most ministries. No innovation, more poverty and a Gateway to nowhere. Thanks for coming out!
Rod Smelser
3 years ago
The Deficit Mantra
BC politicians of both the left and the right have always been afraid of the word "deficit" because of the legacy of WAC Bennett, a man whose lengendary status in the public mind is assumed to be beyond any challenge at this point.
So, during the worst recession in decades the BC Govt is settling for an essentially passive deficit, one that results from changes in revenues, and actually sets about to reduce the size of that passive deficit with expenditure reductions. This is in marked contrast to the approach of the US and Canadian Federal Govts, though it may be in line with what is happening at the state level in the US where states seek, if not to balance their budgets, at least to minimize their deficits. Such an attitude is probably rational if one accepts the notion that only the national government, the government possessing both monetary and fiscal policy agencies and instruments, is solely responsible for counter-cyclical policy.
As for headlines about $14 billion in capital projects, can someone explain how many of these and how much of the $14 billion will be spent and into circulation in 2009 and 2010?
Romeogolf
3 years ago
Business as Usual
The IEA says conventional oil will peak in 11 years, yet this government is investing billions in bridges & roads, not to mention oil & gas. Only $517 million will be spent on transit over the next three years!
The Campbell Liberals are seriously out of touch with reality. Come the time when climate change and peak oil bite, it's going to be deep into our butts.
Rod Smelser
3 years ago
Billions in oil and gas?
Romeogolf
The IEA says conventional oil will peak in 11 years, yet this government is investing billions in bridges & roads, not to mention oil & gas.
In what way is the government investing billions in oil and gas?
If BC's population increases, and so does its vehicle population as well as trade and transport demands, increased road and bridge capacity will be needed. If it's not provided, then there will productive time lost in travel and increased pollution from idling vehicles.
I am wondering if your concern is that too much is being spent on highways or that not enough is being spent at the same time on transit? What transit solutions would you recommend for the 30% of BC's population who live outside the Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria areas?
morechatter
3 years ago
Its Lacks Vision and Reality
And no solutions for housing as Coleman ensures that there will be a steady new supply of those on assistance and kids whose time is up but there are few jobs. Its a guarantee there will be homeless so expect a whole lot more on the streets not less or where ever the homeless are forced to go. See Cheap Talk because Campbell gets you talking and talking while Coleman adds to the homeless crisis so just more of the same. Its a strategy used by this government let the people think you need their input this way they will feel something is being done but really its just more of the same old. And It Lacks truthfulness no doubt.
morechatter
3 years ago
It Also Lacks Innovation and Opportunity for the future
And just more of the same as selling Canadians out as cheap labor also lacks reason as there is no way we can compete with Cheap but yet that is how this government is positioning this province as its stuck on provinding a slave force for business. And its people who make coporations money not coporations who make employees money. And these Coporations already get away with so much like their fare share of taxes as the bulk of the taxes gets picked up by citizens. So if a coporation dries up where does that leave a people? Its far better to put the emphasis on a people's education with much research and development with a lot more money into innovation. And business will eargly put us to work so they can profit from this wealth of knowledge and labor. And that will make us leaders but if there is a bunch of P3s in that budget its risky business for sure.