A bit of chest thumping about B.C.91裸聊视频檚 relative economic might at a Thursday afternoon luncheon had Kelowna Chamber of Commerce members cheering for Premier Christy Clark.
91裸聊视频淩emember when (former Alberta Premier) Ralph Klein used to say, 91裸聊视频榠f you want to get welfare, here91裸聊视频檚 a bus pass, go to B.C.?91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Clark told the crowd gathered for her budget rundown, which emphasized a $264-million surplus on $48-billion in revenue for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
91裸聊视频淣ow we are in the enviable position of being able to say to Albertans: 91裸聊视频楥ome to B.C. get on a bus, get in your car bring your truck91裸聊视频on91裸聊视频檛 come and get welfare. Come to B.C. and get a job.91裸聊视频�
Despite recent figures showing that Kelowna may be in a job slump, B.C. in general is expected to see more economic growth than any other province this year. The government itself has forecasted 2.4 per cent growth in real gross domestic product for 2016 while the B.C. Economic Forecast Council is projecting 2.7 per cent growth.
Part of that, explained Clark, will come from new residents driving things forward. This year alone, more than 48,200 newcomers are expected to move to B.C., with 13,000 from other provinces and 35,200 from other countries.
Growth in manufacturing, retail, tech, trade, film and tourism sectors is also set to offset low prices for commodities such as coal, copper, lumber, pulp and natural gas.
Natural gas isn91裸聊视频檛 something that Clark is letting go of as a future economic powerhouse, however, despite the issues that sector has experienced.
91裸聊视频淟NG is still going ahead,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淪uccess is not for quitters. (There is a) vision for the future and changing your future does not mean running the white flag up the flag pole the first time you see a problem.
91裸聊视频淲e will get there on LNG. World demand will continue to grow as demand for clean energy and sources for energy in general continues to grow, but we91裸聊视频檙e not there yet.91裸聊视频�
Further acknowledging trouble in commodities, Clark went on to tell the crowd that 91裸聊视频渋t91裸聊视频檚 never going to be harder than this next year ahead.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲e certainly see what91裸聊视频檚 happening in Alberta, our closest friend and neighbour, just getting hammered with what91裸聊视频檚 going on with oil prices.
91裸聊视频淲e see in China, one of our biggest trading partner, stock markets closing without notice,91裸聊视频� she said, adding the US is still suffering from its recession, while Ontario is flagging under overwhelming debt.
91裸聊视频淭hose are warning signs that every Canadian needs to heed. So when I say we need to keep our eyes on the ball I really mean it. We have worked hard and we have been very focused, but there has been no time to stay focused more than now.91裸聊视频�
Focus, she said, should be on getting the 91裸聊视频渇undamentals right.91裸聊视频�
Expenditure highlights from Budget 2016 include a $3.1 billion investment in transportation infrastructure including highway upgrades and transit infrastructure, $2.9 billion for major health care projects that include a new centre for mental health and addictions, $2.5 billion for post-secondary schools, and $1.7 billion to 91裸聊视频渕aintain, replace, renovate, expand and seismically upgrade91裸聊视频� schools for students in kindergarten through Grade 12.
This year91裸聊视频檚 budget also includes the Prosperity Fund, which will see the amount of $100 million put aside for a 91裸聊视频渞ainy day.91裸聊视频�
Although the Thursday update saw Clark91裸聊视频檚 budget met with much fanfare, not everyone has been so fond of it.
91裸聊视频淭his government could have chosen meaningful action to make life more affordable for families. Instead the budget continues Christy Clark91裸聊视频檚 practice of taking more money from the pockets of British Columbians through hikes to MSP, hydro rates, ICBC rates, camping fees, ferry fares and more,91裸聊视频� said New Democrat spokesperson for finance Carole James.
91裸聊视频淭his budget illustrates that the premier91裸聊视频檚 not there for hard-working B.C. families. She91裸聊视频檚 there for herself and her political friends.91裸聊视频�
BC Teachers91裸聊视频� Federation President Jim Iker also gave it a fail.
91裸聊视频淭he projected increase in funding is just another shell game that fails to account for increases in student enrollment and rising costs,91裸聊视频� said Iker.
