Premier John Horgan and Finance Minister Carole James delivered the NDP’s first budget update since forming government.
BC Hydro
The BC NDP claims to have delivered on its key priorities has one campaign promise appears to have been left out in the cold.
Back in April, NDP Leader John Horgan promised to freeze BC Hydro rates, saying they had gone up 30 per cent under then-premier Christy Clark, and 87 per cent since the BC Liberals were in government.
But there was no mention of the rate freeze during Monday’s budget announcement.
Retired senior B.C. government executive Richard McCandless defended the government’s decision, adding that a freeze would only drive up debt and force future generations to foot the bill.
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“Hydro’s costs are rising, they can’t pretend they’re not, and the money they’re incurring for all kinds of things including paying off a lot of capital projects they’ve undertaken in the past few years.”
He said lowering rates would only put pressure on the government to break their promise and raise rates.
“They’re in big trouble right now and I’m sure the government doesn’t want Hydro to get any further in debt than they could possibly avoid,” said McCandless.
BC Hydro has already applied for a four per cent rise in 2017, a 3.5 per cent for 2018, and another three per cent for 2019.
BCTF
Meanwhile, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation is glad the NDP is keeping its promise to educators.
Vice President Teri Mooring said it’s refreshing to work with a government that is willing to invest in education without a fight.
“We really do see a real commitment to making life better for B.C. in this budget,” she said.
Mooring said 16 years of cuts won’t be solved right away, but adds Monday’s budget was a good start.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to have things like increased enrolment funded upfront without us having to fight for it,” said Mooring.
More than $650 million is being put aside for the K-to-12 system over the next three years.
Children in care
B.C.’s childrens’ watchdog is optimistic about the future of kids in care in B.C. but is concerned no new promises were made during the budget.
Bernard Richard said he’d like to see Aboriginal agencies on the ground get more of a boost.
“The gap is increasing and kids in First Nations communities are not seeing the kind of lifts that others may be seeing in the system,” said Richard.
He said groups funded by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada are behind those that are provincially-funded.
But he also said he feels there’s more accountability with the NDP government.
“It’s encouraging. There is a shift. You can feel the shift more on people and vulnerable residents of British Columbia. So that’s positive and encouraging.”
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