CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.-Claire Trevena says the budget delivers on the NDP government’s biggest campaign promise. That being making life more affordable for people living in British Columbia.
The North Island MLA says the budget covers a number of areas that will directly benefit people in the riding. Trevena says it’s a “people first” budget
She says one big piece of the budget, a billion dollar investment in child care, will be a big relief for many people in the riding:
The government has also committed to scrapping MSP Premiums by January 1st, 2020, a full year earlier than originally promised. Trevena says turfing the premiums brings British Columbia in line with the rest of the Canada:
The premiums will be replaced with a payroll tax for businesses with annual payrolls of more than $500,000. Companies with a payroll above $1.5 million will pay 1.95 per cent, with a lower rate for companies with a smaller payroll.
Another big issue for Islanders addressed in the budget was ferry fares. The NDP government is reducing ferry fares on non-major routes, while freezing them on major routes, and bringing back the Monday to Thursday seniors’ discount. Trevena says that’s good news for North Island residents:
The 2018 budget was tabled yesterday.
