Green factor explains disappearance of big-ticket promises in budget: James
Posted September 12, 2017 2:18 pm.
Last Updated September 12, 2017 4:07 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – British Columbia’s finance minister says big-ticket election promises were absent from her budget update because the minority New Democrats must work on policy issues with the Green party, the government’s voting partner.
Carole James says universal daycare and a comprehensive housing strategy will anchor her budget in February.
Green Leader Andrew Weaver says he was thrilled the government’s election promises of $10-a-day daycare and a $400 annual renter rebate were not detailed in the NDP’s first budget.
But he says the Greens support free daycare for families of children under age three and believe the $400 renter rebate could be spread more widely to help people in need.
James says the NDP and the Greens have an agreement to consult freely and widely on issues of shared values, including childcare and housing.
The NDP’s budget update included no surprises and was heavy on social spending and funding for education.
