British Columbia Federation of Labour

The provincial budget presented today by Finance Minister Colin Hansen fails to address the hardship tens of thousands of British Columbians are facing, contains no plan to build for a future economic turnaround and is built on unrealistically optimistic financial forecasts.

"The budget makes it clear that the recession has not hit the Premier's office," said Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour. "For hundreds of thousands of British Columbians facing the worst economic crisis in modern times, this budget does nothing."

The Federation had called on the government to make major investments in public and human infrastructure. In addition to public works infrastructure projects, the Federation was calling for major spending increases in public housing as well as education and training programs to prepare unemployed workers and young people for future jobs.

Instead, British Columbians are getting a budget that ensures more unemployment, longer waiting lists at post-secondary institutes, drastic public service cuts across the province and increased poverty for tens of thousands of British Columbians.

"Instead of seizing the moment to open the doors for tens of thousands of British Columbians to return to post-secondary education, this budget slams the door tighter," said Sinclair. "They have no idea about the damage they are causing for the future of the province."

"There is very little new or accelerated economic stimulus contained in today's budget," says Sinclair. "It certainly comes nowhere near the minimum 2 percent of GDP economic stimulus spending that most economists agree is crucial to prop up the economy as private sector investment drops."

"The government has committed to spending $350 million on a new roof for BC Place at the same time, it fails to provide new funding for the homelessness crisis that grips most communities in the province," Sinclair added. "This is just one example of a government set of priorities completely different from those of working families."

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For more information: Evan Stewart, Director of Communications (604) 220-3095.