Cariboo-Chilcotin Liberal MLA Donna Barnett says she was disappointed with the 2016 Federal Budget released on March 22.
Barnett adds rural British Columbia has been forgotten in the budget.
“I really don’t see anything for our region. I see infrastructure funding but it’s targeted toward urban centres for rapid transit.”
Barnett was also displeased the budget didn’t have anything for small business, despite the Liberals campaigning on a promise to lower small business tax during the election campaign.
Barnett says she hopes the $8.374 billion committed over five years announced to help improve the lives of First Nations will come to the Cariboo-Chilcotin.
Meanwhile, Tsilhqot’in National Government chair Chief Joe Alphonse welcomed the budget, especially the increased funding to help First Nations.
The majority of First Nations reserves are like third-world communities, Alphonse says, adding some don’t have adequate drinking water.
He faulted the Conservatives for not doing First Nations any favours when they were in power.
“This budget, with its commitment to First Nations, is long overdue. First Nations wouldn’t be fighting so hard in court if we were on par with the rest of Canadians.”
Money for Canada comes from resource extraction and First Nations should be benefiting, he adds.
“I think this budget makes us feel more a part of Canada.”
