Premier David Eby arrives with ministers before the start of the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. B.C. politicians are returning to the legislature for the spring sitting, starting with a throne speech laying out the government's goals for the months ahead. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
VICTORIA – British Columbia’s New Democrat government says it plans to put this year’s projected budget surplus of almost $6 billion to work as an economic slowdown looms.
The government’s throne speech, read by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin in the legislature Monday, outlines a political agenda for the coming months that includes a plan to support people amid rising costs now and in the long term.
But the speech says a global economic slowdown is forecast and B.C. likely won’t be in a budget surplus situation for long.
The speech says some people would argue that B.C. should respond to a looming downturn by cutting services and pulling back supports, but that is not the course the government will take at a time when people are still finding their way after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The speech says the government will introduce new legislation this spring covering pay transparency, fighting organized crime and money laundering and outlawing malicious and exploitative non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Premier David Eby is not at the legislature today for what would be his first throne speech since replacing former premier John Horgan, and is instead in Ottawa with other premiers to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to negotiate increased funding for health care.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2023.
