The Legislature in Victoria closed the busy spring session May 19. All MLAs have returned to their ridings and I am pleased to be able to attend more local meetings and events.
More than two dozen pieces of legislation were passed as well as the operating budget for this fiscal year – more than $38 billion; almost $18 billion going to health and $7 billion to education.
For the fourth year in a row, our government delivered a balanced budget that shows our strong fiscal management and a commitment to reducing our province’s operating debt. Budget 2016 improves housing affordability, helps families with the cost of living, provides supports for B.C.’s most vulnerable citizens, invests in our future workforce, and establishes the B.C. Prosperity Fund.
This session saw our government make significant strides toward getting to yes on major resource projects, including the Site C dam and LNG. A $470 million contract to supply and install Site C’s turbines and generators was awarded along with the project’s main water licences.
Another highlight came April 25, the second anniversary of the B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint, when we announced nearly $8 million in funding for pre-apprenticeship programs that will help British Columbians be first in line for the almost one million jobs expected in our province by 2024.
As part of the blueprint, more than 58,000 youth and 20,000 adults across B.C. have interacted with Find Your Fit in the past year.
At the end of March, Premier Christy Clark announced that applications for the first year of funding under the B.C. Rural Dividend were being accepted until the end of May. In keeping this promise, we’re making sure the wealth that comes from rural B.C. is shared more fairly with the communities that create it, including Lumby, Cherryville and Coldstream. Our rural dividend program provides $25 million a year for three years so smaller communities can diversify their economies.
To ensure all workers benefit from B.C.’s economic success, our government has pledged to increase the minimum wage in two stages. The first increase will bring the minimum wage up to $10.85 per hour effective Sept. 15, 2016 while a second increase will bring it to $11.25 on Sept. 15, 2017.
By staying focused on controlling spending and growing a strong, diverse economy, we have balanced our budget for a fourth consecutive year, giving us room to make important investments that make a real difference in the lives of everyone in Vernon-Monashee.
We’ll continue to work hard to get to yes on major projects of significance, creating more jobs and opportunities for people in our province and boosting social supports for our most vulnerable.
B.C. is truly leading Canada, and it’s paying off for people here in Vernon-Monashee.
Eric Foster is Vernon-Monashee MLA.