The provincial budget has been released and, as expected, childcare and housing feature prominently in the package.
Of particular interest to ferry dependent communities, like the Sunshine Coast, ferry fares will be frozen on all major BC Ferries routes, there will be reduced fares on non-major routes and the seniors passenger fare discount for Monday to Thursday will be fully restored.
The province plans on introducing a new affordable child-care benefit that will reduce child-care costs by up to 1,250 dollars per month over the next two to three years.
The province plans on curbing speculation in B.C.’s housing market and helping to build 114,000 affordable rental, non-profit, co-op and owner-purchase housing units through partnerships.
V-I-U’s Carol Desilets said, following the throne speech there is a shortage of student housing and if an opportunity to increase the availability came along the University would be on board.
Medical Services Plan premiums will be eliminated by January 2020.
However, employers, with payrolls over 500,000 dollars will have to pay a new health tax.
That’s expected to boost the government coffers by one point 9 billion dollars.
Free bus passes for people on disability assistance will be reinstated.
More teachers will be hired and 18 million dollars will boost services that provide outreach and counselling support for women and children affected by violence.
Increased funding for B.C.’s agrifood sector to support enhanced Buy BC, Grow BC and Feed BC initiatives to drive consumer demand and get B.C.’s goods to overseas markets.
The commitments will be funded, the NDP government says, by improved revenue forecasts as well as from new revenue sources like a speculation tax, and increases in the foreign buyers’ tax, and the employer health tax.