Budget Consultation Report Released
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 @ 12:11 PM
Prince George, B.C.- The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has submitted its report from the provincial budget 2013 consultations.
The 56 page document presents 29 recommendations from 311 written submissions and 286 surveys that were filled out on line.
Here are the recommendations:
Fiscal Policy
1. Balance the provincial budget by 2013/14.
2. Consider the recommendations of the Expert Panel on BC’s Business Tax Competitiveness.
3. Look for opportunities to streamline the administration of PST, particularly as it relates to thebusiness sector, while maintaining the principle of returning to the PST as it existed prior to HST implementation.
4. Consider, as part of the Finance Minister’s Carbon Tax Review, the submissions received by this Committee on the carbon tax.
Health
5. Review the funding model for community hospices and ensure that funding is provided in an equitable and predictable manner.
6. Increase homecare services to save hospital costs as these services are less expensive than hospital beds.
7. Provide support for community-based agencies that provide addiction treatment services, using a community health and wellness approach.
8. Work with the BCMA and medical colleges to improve residency and internship opportunities for British Columbian medical students trained abroad.
9. Develop short- and long-term water supply solutions for the Kelowna and surrounding region so that quality drinking water is provided practically, cost effectively and to provincial and federal standards.
Education and Skills Training:
10. Develop a provincial career-training model to meet the educational needs of high-school students, based on the Northern Opportunities partnership model, and fund it accordingly.
11. Commission research on the number of children entering kindergarten with developmental and learning challenges and take action on the results.
12. Undertake research into graduation rates for immigrant youth in the K-12 school system.
13. Continue support for seismic upgrades in K-12 schools.
14. Resolve fiscal and accounting standard issues that continue to create challenges for postsecondary institutions’ ability to manage their budgets prudently and to access capital outside of government.
15. Continue to provide access to post-secondary education opportunities and address affordability issues affecting students.
16. Reinstate the separate budget line for public libraries.
Community and Social Services:
17. Continue annual funding for sport, as provided by the 2010 Sport and Arts Legacy Fund, in the next three-year budget plan and base budget of the Ministry of Community, Sport and CulturalDevelopment.
18. Review and streamline the RFP procurement policy for not-for-profit community service providers, and consider eliminating the monthly invoicing and payment systems for agencies that have been accredited for three or more consecutive years.
19. Provide funding for transition houses and women’s centres to meet increasing demands for community-based services.
Economic Development:
20. Ensure adequate resources are in place for key permitting ministries to eliminate the permitting backlog and also with particular focus to ensure the retention of expert staff so critical to the process.
21. Partner with other levels of government to ensure that appropriate community infrastructure and services are developed in areas anticipating major growth from natural resource development.
22. Continue providing funding for infrastructure development and target funds for high priority projects that will enhance BC’s international trade potential.
23. Develop Internet connectivity and cell phone coverage to enhance economic development
opportunities and emergency preparedness.
Other:
24. Provide stable and long-term funding for the justice system, including support and programs to ensure equitable access and alternative dispute resolutions.
25. Support and provide funding for restorative justice programs.
26. Make sure that the province achieves the most effective economic benefits from the Provincial Nominee Program in meeting BC labour market demands.
27. Work to ensure that employment standards and occupational health and safety regulations are extended to and enforced for temporary foreign workers residing in British Columbia.
28. Ensure that adequate funding is available to continue recent efforts to support farmers’ markets.
29. Develop a strategy to deal with invasive species, specifically saltwater and freshwater species.
Comments
Still acceptable to leave the disabled in abject poverty. Thank you yet again people of British Columbia.
….”abject poverty”….not! There are many Federal programs and funding available for the disabled to more than meet their needs. This is a Federal Government concern.
You have no idea how wrong you are. ignorance rampent
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