With almost all provinces and now the federal government tabling deep-deficit budgets, our government’s accomplishment of balancing four budgets in a row is all the more remarkable.
It has been a pleasure to talk about it throughout the constituency over the past month.
Balanced budget 2016 comes up every time I sit down with residents all over the Shuswap.
Our informal get-togethers, called “Have Coffee with the MLA,” in Sicamous, Malakwa, Enderby, Armstrong, Falkland and Sorrento during March were very informative and productive for me – and I know the public got a lot out of them, too.
There was a great turnout for my post-budget presentation hosted by the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce in early March, and at another one for the Armstrong Chamber. It’s so gratifying when our government’s commitment to watching the purse strings is so widely accepted by taxpayers.
But fiscal prudence doesn’t mean we’re cutting corners to the detriment of programs, as demonstrated by the $1.6 billion in new and increased spending over the next three years.
For example, my constituency office in Salmon Arm was flooded with calls after our government announced an expanded Medical Services Plan premium assistance program for seniors, lower-income families and individuals.
A recent survey of seniors in B.C. found that only 39 per cent knew about MSP premium assistance, and 66 per cent pay full premiums when the number should be fewer than 50 per cent.
It’s because of our fiscal discipline that our government is able to expand important programs such as this one.
In other recent good news for the Shuswap, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District secured a grant of $1.7 million to acquire and upgrade the Sunnybrae water system in Tappen. The money came from the federal gas tax fund, which is administered by the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
I’m also very proud that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has completed work at the McIntyre Creek slide area after a debris flow there two years ago.
We also recently announced much tougher fines for people who interfere with wildfire suppression. Wildfire season is fast approaching and under our new rules, people can be fined $1,150 for interfering with firefighting crews, up from $345.
Finally, it was a great pleasure last month to visit Lena Johnston of Salmon Arm, who celebrated her 107th birthday. What a lady, and what a life!
-Greg Kyllo is the provincial MLA for the Shuswap.
