AUTUMN MacDONALD
Observer Reporter
While some maintain Budget 2011 is “status quo” Cariboo North Independent MLA Bob Simpson says it’s anything but.
Simpson said the provincial budget does nothing for immediate needs and continues to flatline services on the public sector side.
“Status quo,” Simpson added, “means many more continued cuts.”
Budget 2011 was presented in the legislater Tuesday afternoon.
“We remain committed in our fiscal management approach, which keeps us on track to reduce the deficit and balance the budget by 2013-14,” Minister of Finance Colin Hansen said.
“While this is a status-quo budget, we are ensuring the protection of core health care, education and social services that British Columbians rely on.”
However, Simpson said the budget is nothing more than a continuation of Premier Gordon Campbell’s vision with no money for real issues such as bargaining costs with teachers and forest fire costs.
“And at the same time we have a mass escalation of public debt,” he added.
Budget 2011 highlights:
• Total government revenue is forecast at $41.3 billion in 2011-12, $42.4 billion in 2012-13, and $44.1 billion in 2013-14. Revenue is expected to average 3.4 per cent annual growth over the next three years.
• Total expense over the three-year plan is forecast at $41.9 billion in 2011-12, $42.5 billion in 2012-13 and $43.6 billion in 2013-14 — an average annual increase of two per cent over the next three years.
• Total health spending by function will reach $18.5 billion or 42.5 per cent of all government expenses by 2013-14.
• Per-pupil funding for students in the K-12 levels is estimated to increase to $8,357 for 2011-12, the highest ever. In total, operating funding for school districts is $4.7 billion in 2011-12 on a school-year basis.
• Capital spending on schools, hospitals, roads, hydro-electric projects and other infrastructure in B.C. is expected to total $19 billion over the next three years. Capital spending is anticipated to return to historical levels as the accelerated infrastructure program winds down in 2011-12.
• The total provincial debt is forecast to be $53.4 billion in 2011-12, $57.6 billion in 2012-13 and $60.4 billion in 2013-14.
• Taxpayer-supported interest costs continue to remain low, averaging 4.7 cents per dollar of revenue over the three-year fiscal plan.
But perhaps of most note, Simpson said, is the significant slush fund for the next premier.
Budget 2011 set aside $2.55 billion over the next three years for
new spending for
whoever reigns as Liberal leader.
“This province has issues now that need addressing,” Simpson said.
“But we’re in a holding pattern.”
Simpson said while B.C. continues to have two political parties in disarray, the province is not being governed.
“These issues need to be addressed and can’t wait until political parties get their act together,” he said.
“They’re in stall mode.”
