Victoria – The BC Liberal government’s Throne Speech kicked-off the last session of the legislature before the May 2017 election.
The speech layed out the Liberals’ agenda and hints at what’s to come in next week’s provincial budget.
With a $2.25 billion surplus in their forecast, the big news out of the Throne Speech is what’s coming back to you, the taxpayer.
The nuts and bolts of the statement can be found here:
Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon outlined how British Columbia has navigated challenging times to lead Canada, thanks to a plan – and hard-working British Columbians.
Since the launch of the BC Jobs Plan five years ago:
- B.C. is first in economic growth in Canada
- B.C. is first in job creation in Canada, with more British Columbians working than ever before
- B.C. has Canada’s lowest unemployment rate
- The provincial government continues to make record investments in health care, education and infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and the Site C dam
Controlling government spending has resulted in:
- Four consecutive balanced budgets, with a fifth on the way
- Lowest taxes for middle-class families in Canada
- B.C. is on track to be free of any operating debt by 2021
“The reason people come to live in B.C. is to find a job with great pay, save to own their own home, and keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Premier Christy Clark. “We’re going to stick to our plan to grow the economy, so that we can all build a better future, and look after the people we love.”
The Lieutenant-Governor observed the risks facing British Columbia, from rising protectionism in Europe and the United States, slow global economic growth, and low commodity prices. The government is updating the BC Jobs Plan, launching a Rural Economic Development Strategy to help small communities cope with immediate challenges and diversify their economies, and appointing a special envoy for softwood lumber, based in the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The Lieutenant-Governor observed that the Province’s success is due to hard-working British Columbians, who have built Canada’s strongest fiscal foundation, and indicated the government will be providing financial relief to citizens.
Learn More:
Read the speech from the throne here: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/thronespeech/
