BC Budget 2025 showed nothing new according to Bulkley Valley-Stikine MLA Sharon Hartwell.
Some of her concerns were the carbon tax increasing to 3.3 cents per litre of gas on April 1st, the cancelled $1,000 grocery rebate, and a lack of projects in northern BC.
“The only thing that might possibly come out of it is the minister did say they were going to put $250,000 aside from the gaming grant for the Kitwanga project,” she said.
“I mentioned to him the only way that is going to happen is if they commit to shovels in the ground this year.”
Hartwell added the grocery rebate was scrapped in light of the threatened US tariffs and no relief for industry was mentioned.
The budget also included a projected $10.9 billion deficit which she is trying to encourage the province to reduce.
“[The Conservatives] are hoping they might restructure some of the ministries and cut back on staff,” Hartwell said.
In response to the tariffs, Hartwell said Premiere David Eby’s only response at the time was taking alcohol from red states off liquor store shelves.
Meanwhile Conservative Leader and Nechako-Lakes MLA John Rustad proposed putting a 25 per cent tariff on US coal being received in Vancouver.
“The Premier has decided that he might discuss that with the Prime Minister, and they are moving on that as far as I know,” Hartwell said.
She added more work is required as a response with work underway to increase trade within the country which has seen a positive response.
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