B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell was in Ottawa yesterday for the long-awaited unveiling of the federal budget, and his message to the Conservative government was clear: show me the money.

“If we don’t get that money on the ground where people can use it, it’s going to have been a nice speech, but we’re not going to do what we need to in the economy,” Campbell told The Tyee.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s fourth budget is the first in a dozen years to post a deficit — $64 billion over two years.

The big-ticket items are permanent income tax relief worth $3.2 billion annually, a pot of $7 billion for infrastructure projects and a promise that all the measures the Conservatives propose will create 190,000 jobs over the next two years.

Of special interest to British Columbians, the budget includes $400 million for upgrades to housing on First Nations reserves, $170 million for the forestry sector, and the expediting of Vancouver’s Evergreen transit line.

Much of what the federal government laid out today requires matching funds from provincial or municipal governments. Campbell said that wouldn’t be a problem for B.C.

“This is a call to partnership and I think we’re ready to step up to that call,” he said.

Libby Davies, the NDP house leader and longtime Vancouver East MP, isn’t so sure.

“They’ve got money in there for social housing, but it’s all contingent on provincial funds, and we have no assurance Gordon Campbell is going to do any of that,” she said.

While the Liberals have said they will wait until Wednesday to announce their intentions, Davies confirmed the NDP would vote against the budget. The Bloc Quebecois is also expected to vote against it.

“You got to go beyond the words on the page,” Davies said. “I think the real test here is, ‘Do we believe this guy anymore?’ You look at the budget and there’s stuff in there on social housing, there’s stuff in there on infrastructure, and seniors and people with disabilities and aboriginal people, but I really think it comes down to a question of confidence.”

Among the initiatives in Budget 2009:

• $4 billion over two years for the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund that will provide funding to renew infrastructure

• $1 billion over five years for the Green Infrastructure Fund to support projects such as sustainable energy

• $500 million over two years to build and renew community recreation centres across Canada

• Up to $500 million over the next two years for infrastructure projects in small communities

• $515 million over two years for “ready-to-go” First Nations projects in the key areas: schools, water and critical community services

• Extending for one year the temporary 15 per cent mineral exploration tax credit to help companies raise capital for mining exploration

• 5 new Coast Guard lifeboats, including one home-ported in Prince Rupert and another in Campbell River

• Vessel life extensions for CCGS Bartlett and CCGS Tanu, both home-ported in Victoria

• $40 million over two years to the Canadian Tourism Commission – including $20 million for domestic advertising and $20 million for new activity in international markets; additional promotional support for events such as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics

• $100 million over two years for marquee festivals and events that draw a significant number of tourists, such as the Vancouver International Jazz Festival

• $75 million over two years for upgrades to Parks Canada’s campgrounds and visitor centres

• No new funding for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, but funding for Special Olympics will be increased to $1.5 million for 09-10

Matthew Pearson is an Ottawa journalist.