BC Budget 2017

This week, the BC Liberals delivered a pre-election budget with uncharacteristic commitments to new spending. In his budget speech, Finance Minister Mike de Jong boasted about the province’s ability to make service and program investments after so many years of discipline and sacrifice by British Columbians.

Indeed—albeit on the heels of intense public and media pressure—there are welcome and long overdue funding increases to services for vulnerable children and families in this budget. Much needed capital investments in schools and health care facilities are planned. There will be more rangers on the ground in B.C.’s provincial parks. And for the first time in many years, instead of imposing cuts, this government has put more resources into every single provincial ministry.

These investments in our public services and infrastructure—whatever their motivation—will make a difference in the lives of British Columbians.

Download the full report (PDF)