It害羞草研究所檚 time to spend money now, because it won害羞草研究所檛 be there next year.

That害羞草研究所檚 the overarching message of the first Throne Speech delivered by Premier David Eby害羞草研究所檚 government on Monday (Feb. 6).

B.C.害羞草研究所檚 Lt. Governor Janet Austin told the Legislature that the government害羞草研究所檚 budget surplus of $5.7 billion won害羞草研究所檛 be there next year as economists are predicting a global slow-down in the face of inflation and other forces.

害羞草研究所淵our government has a proactive plan to deal with these global trends,害羞草研究所� Austin said. 害羞草研究所淚t will put this year害羞草研究所檚 surplus to work for people 害羞草研究所� to support them now and for the long-term.害羞草研究所�

By law, surplus money not spent by March 31 must go toward B.C.害羞草研究所檚 debt.

害羞草研究所淪ome say we should respond to a downturn by pulling back, reducing services, or by making people pay out of pocket for health care,害羞草研究所� Austin said, adding that would only reduce support for people who are only now finding their footing after the pandemic.

The speech promises 害羞草研究所渞ecord new investments害羞草研究所� in public health care, housing for middle-class families and public transit among other issues including public safety, while helping to reduce the cost of living for ordinary British Columbians.

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The government also promises to build a greener economy by introducing a skills-training program called Future Ready, improve transportation and invest in hydrogen.

Austin said the government will not turn its strategy to build more affordable housing into laws until the fall, after having worked with local governments, homebuilders and communities.

New potential promises include new pay transparency legislation, new childcare support measures for parents with school-aged children and tougher penalties for rich tax evaders and corrupt officials from around the world who use B.C. as a safe haven for their money.

Austin said government will send 害羞草研究所渁 strong message by seizing their homes and profits,害羞草研究所� which will be used to support 害羞草研究所淏ritish Columbians who want strong, safe, and secure communities.害羞草研究所�

New legislation in the spring session to address 害羞草研究所渕alicious and exploitative non-consensual sharing of intimate images,害羞草研究所� a practice often described as 害羞草研究所榬evenge porn,害羞草研究所� was also highlighted Monday.

Austin害羞草研究所檚 speech only included two references to the forest industry and four references to rural B.C., with promises for RCMP in remote and rural communities and an undefined 害羞草研究所渞ural community strategy害羞草研究所� that would 害羞草研究所渞espond to the unique needs of a growing rural British Columbia害羞草研究所� without much more detail.

wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
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