An independent expert hired by the provincial government says the revenue projections in tomorrow's budget are solid, with one exception. Former Bank of Montreal chief economist Doctor Tim O'Neill says he found no glaring problems with the budget's revenue projections, citing ample evidence of professional competence and caution. But O'Neill is … [Read more...]
Liberal Party member brushing off reports of unrest ahead of unveiling of Provincial Budget
February 17, 2013 by
As the P0rovincial Government prepares to unveil the budget this week, Liberal MLA John Les is downplaying reports of unrest in the party. He says the Premier is working very hard, and the party is fine. Les calls rumors there will be a non-confidence vote after the budget is tabled unfounded. "I hope there is a vote of some kind on the Budget this … [Read more...]
It is a numbers game ahead of next weeks provincial budget
February 14, 2013 by
There's a lot of head-counting going on at the legislature these days with the Liberal majority down to just five, and a couple of MLA's absent this week. Premier Christy Clark's apparent effort to woo independent MLA John Slater to support his former colleagues points to a possible problem for the Liberals, mustering enough votes to stay in … [Read more...]
Slater says no thanks as the Premier calls to secure his budget vote
February 14, 2013 by
An independent B.C. MLA has refused to return to the BC Liberal party, despite a call from the premier herself. John Slater, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, says Christy Clark called him this week, asking if he would rejoin the caucus and support her government's budget, to be tabled on Tuesday. "I said, well, you know, I'm really reluctant because I … [Read more...]
BC’s budget deficit is nearing $1.5-billion
November 28, 2012 by
British Columbians now have a budget deficit of $ 1.47-billion. That's $ 328-million worse than predicted in the first financial quarterly report. Finance Minister Mike de Jong is blaming the increase on a delay selling Crown land in Vancouver, as well as declining revenues from property taxes and falling coal prices. Premier Christy Clark said … [Read more...]
Budget work still not finished
November 28, 2012 by
The New Westminster School Board has heard from a consultant on how to solve the issue of a surprise deficit of more than 2 million dollars. Board Chair James Janzen, "She gave us a fairly good outline of what areas were problematic. You know, what areas resulted in the deficit and a good understanding of what is sort of, ongoing and what was … [Read more...]
The Premier talks about the budget
November 27, 2012 by
The Premier danced around questions over her government's balooning advertising budget today after speaking to a business crowd in Coquitlam. When asked, Christy Clark wouldn't address the running total for the advertising budget which is approaching $ 64-million over two years. "I guess which specific instances? I mean I think it's important that … [Read more...]
Finance committee recommends B.C. stay on track to balance budget
November 14, 2012 by
An all-party standing committee of the legislature is recommending the B.C. government stay the course in its budget-balancing plan, but it has a few new ideas to spend your tax dollars. The finance committee calls on the government to meet its target of a balanced budget in the next fiscal year – already a tough job with falling revenues to … [Read more...]
New West parents frustrated at budget meeting
October 17, 2012 by
Parents in New Westminster were asked at a public consultation meeting about how they think School District 40 can overcome a $ 2.8 million deficit. Kal Randhawa says with only minimal information provided, the so-called budget workshop was an exercise in futility. She says, "I don't see how feedback from us, with the amount of complexity of the … [Read more...]
Napa and Sonoma on a Budget
September 17, 2012 by
Who doesn't long for a weekend in California wine country? But from tastings to dinner reservations, its easy to blow your budget in an afternoon. So here are the secrets to doing it on the cheap. Fodor's Travel News … [Read more...]
