Premier John Horgan香蕉视频直播檚 government is moving ahead with increased education funding and additional child care spaces, announced in a throne speech that previews a range of measures based on NDP election promises.
Measures promised in the speech include increasing income assistance rates by $100 per month, overhauling legislation to protect renters from rent increases imposed by short-term leases, and setting up a Fair Wages Commission to move B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 minimum wage up to $15 an hour.
Horgan told reporters after the speech that the promised $400-a-year rebate for renters is part of the budget update to be presented next week.
B.C. Liberal jobs critic Jas Johal questioned why the NDP has shifted its language on child care from a $10-a-day program to a 香蕉视频直播渦niversal香蕉视频直播� one.
香蕉视频直播淭here was very little mentioned about the economy that pays for all of this spending,香蕉视频直播� Johal said.
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Many promises in the speech lack timelines or other specifics, including the minimum wage plan that has caused tension between the NDP and B.C. Greens. The speech says 香蕉视频直播渄ecisive action is being taken to fix the problems at ICBC and BC Hydro,香蕉视频直播� and the government will 香蕉视频直播渄eliver a comprehensive housing strategy to create homes for people.香蕉视频直播�
Some of the measures are completed, such as removing tolls from Metro Vancouver bridges. Others have been underway since the previous government, including meeting the terms of a funding agreement with the B.C. Teacher香蕉视频直播檚 Federation.
B.C. Green leader Andrew Weaver said the only thing he disagreed with in the speech was the reference to removing bridge tolls, but he was pleased with the commitment to education funding. The speech had 香蕉视频直播渘o surprises香蕉视频直播� as required by his agreement to support the NDP, and some wording was taken from Green commitments, Weaver said.
The B.C. Liberal government signed a deal in March providing $330 million to fund 2,600 new teacher positions, to comply with a November 2016 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that ended a long court battle over contract language governing class size and special needs support ratios.
香蕉视频直播淭he September budget update will take our first steps toward restoring proper funding for B.C. classrooms, and give students the supports they need to succeed,香蕉视频直播� said the speech, read in the B.C. legislature Friday by Lt. Gov. Judith Guichon.
The speech confirms plans specified in the support agreement signed by the NDP and B.C. Green Party, including eliminating corporate and union donations to political parties, holding a referendum on proportional representation by November 2018, and strengthening rules around government lobbyists.
Finance Minister Carole James is to present a budget update in the legislature on Monday, making changes to the B.C. Liberals香蕉视频直播� pre-election budget.
