Budget Delivered

By 250 News

Finance Minister Carole Taylor has delivered her budget.

She says we know the province is doing well, because people are excited, making plans and doing so with confidence.

"Budget 2005 focused on Seniors, this budget focuses on children, the people for whom we are building this province"  said Taylor.  

Here are the highlights:

To start, she announced $421 million dollars over 4 years to strengthen supports for children and families.

$173 million will be used to enhance services for children, including more social workers.

Foster Parents transportation allowance will increase by 50%, the first increase in more than a decade.

Reduced wait lists for  youth mental health, infant development, child development  and therapies. 
An additional $100 million  over three years for child protection ad family support services.
$112 million for public education  over three years.
Increasing child assistance payments at beginning of school year. 

Committment to attack crystal meth head on with  $2 million to  community assistance, $1 million  to school based programs, $2 million  to improve access to treatment, $2 million  on public awareness program. Another $2 million for the crystal meth secretariat to coordinate work  on the battle against  crystal meth.

Projecting an economic growth of 3.3%  over the next year, 3.1% over each of the following two years.

The need for skilled labour is staggering,  and as Taylor pointed out, B.C. now has a scenario where jobs are looking for people. So $400 million has been set aside over the next four years to  address the need for skilled labour.  She says  her  government will also work with the Federal Government and regulatory  agencies to speed up the entry process.  Another $5 million for english as a second language,  $17 million for  computer access  programs for  First Nations.

Expansion of the Bladerunners program  for youth at risk to communities like Prince George.   

Starting March 1st , people with disabilities can earn up to $500 a month without risk of  losing benefits.

Development of a mentoring program to help women reconnect with the work force.

$90 million dollars  in tax credits to businesses that  help address the skills shortage.

More dollars to  increase the number of apprenticeships.

$90 million dollars  for projects that  explore the diversification of the economy. 

Taxes  for homeowners?  $309 million over 4 years to help  families and seniors on fixed incomes deal with challenges of soaring home values.  The basic homeowners grant is being  increased to $570  and the seniors and disabled grant will be boosted to $845.

The grant threshold will also be increased.

The threshold for the luxury  vehicle tax is being raised  by another $6,000

No  more provincial sales tax on services to  buy, modify , and repair computer software.

Single largest expense is for public sector wages.  The government has set aside 6 billion dollars to cover the contracts.  More than 300 thousand public sector workers are in line for  new contracts.

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