The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) has released its analysis of the BC NDP's first full provincial budget and financial plan – a budget with a noticeable change of tone from the previous government.
 
After 16 years of austerity and retrenchment under the BC Liberals, the new government has laid important pathways for the introduction of expansive new strategies and programs to come. In particular, significant commitments to child care and housing affordability will have positive benefits for our members and for all British Columbians.
 
The budget brings some good news for our members working in health care: A total of $548 million over three years is provided to improve services for seniors across the continuum of care, including investments in primary care, home and community care, residential care, and assisted living. This funding is over and above the new allocation of $85 million per year in federal funding for home care. It should also be noted that a particular focus for the
new funding will be to meet the goal of increasing care hours in residential care facilities to an average of 3.36 direct care hours per resident per day.
 
Your union was also pleased to see a commitment to replace the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions (CMHA), located on the Riverview lands in Coquitlam (slated to be complete in late 2019).
 
Budget 2018 is not perfect – this analysis identifies where progress has been made, and where greater investment is still needed. However, the budget is bold, well-measured and conscientious in what it offers British Columbians, and we congratulate the government on this impressive effort to make our province a more affordable, equitable and healthy society for everyone.
 
Read the analysis here: B.C. Budget Analysis 2018/19 
 
Read the BCGEU's media release from February 20: BC Budget provides path to affordability and quality public services
 

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