BC's Auditor-General says progress has been made since he first rapped the legislative assembly over "substantial irregularities", but problems persist and more must be done. John Doyle also zeroes in on an expensive lease and renovations to the constituency office of Liberal MLA Eric Foster. He says public money was used to pay not only the … [Read more...]
UPDATES: Doctor questions BC’s spending priorities
March 8, 2013 by
Ongoing overcrowding at hospitals across British Columbia again have emergency room doctors questioning the priorities of the provincial government. Doctor David Haughton, who's the President of the BC Medical Association's Emergency Medicine section, admits it's frustrating to see money being spent on hosting next month's Times of India Film … [Read more...]
BC Conservatives announce Spending Smarter plan
March 1, 2013 by
The B-C Conservatives have released a 3-point plan to reform the Legislature and give MLAs greater scrutiny over public spending. It's called "Spending Smarter" and includes increasing the number of votes in the Budget Estimates each spring so there is a thorough analysis of financial outlays before they are made. As well, the Conservatives would … [Read more...]
Leaked documents show Liberals plan more election ad spending
February 13, 2013 by
The NDP says a leaked government document shows the Liberals are planning to spend more money on advertising in the lead-up to the spring election than previously disclosed. Opposition leader Adrian Dix says the document that was presented to the Liberal caucus last month outlines 16.6 million dollars in Jobs Plan advertising, up from the … [Read more...]
BCTF object to Federal bill forcing unions to disclose spending and finances
December 12, 2012 by
The BC Teachers' Federation is voicing their objection to legislation passed by the Federal Government Wednesday forcing unions to make spending and finances public. President Susan Lambert calls Bill C-377 an unwarranted intrusion into the privacy of BCTF members. "BCTF runs its own salary indemnity plan for members who find themselves unable to … [Read more...]
Fire crews spending night on Hardy Island
October 7, 2012 by
Provincial fire crews had to be boated to Hardy Island after a propane fire involving two outbuildings spread to nearby forest. Coastal Fire Information Officer Donna MacPherson says because it was so dark, crews won't know how big the fire is until daybreak. "We've got five people who arrived by boat. Four of them are firefighters who are staying … [Read more...]
Premier makes huge spending announcements at UBCM speech
September 28, 2012 by
Premier Christy Clark has made several big announcements at an address to the UBCM, a gathering of B.C. mayors and councillors in Victoria. The biggest is a tentative deal reached with B.C.'s largest public sector union.. Clark says the two-year deal with the 26,000 members of the BCGEU includes modest wage increases, but the money for that … [Read more...]
Translink unveils 3 year plan, takes an axe to spending
September 17, 2012 by
Translink's blaming lower than expected revenues from tolls, fares and fuel taxes for making major cuts to service improvements promised last year. "We're going to deliver as much as we can to the region and we're going to be fiscally responsible." Board chair Nancy Olewiler has released the 2013 base plan saying most expansion has … [Read more...]
BREAKING: BC deficit up; government plans spending cuts
September 13, 2012 by
BC'S finance minister has released the government's fiscal update for the first quarter. The deficit for the current fiscal year is projected to be higher than expected. Falling natural gas revenues are blowing a hole in the provincial budget. The deficit for this year now pegged at 1.14 billion dollars. That's 173 million dollars more than … [Read more...]
The Premier dismisses another dismal poll and questions over office spending
August 3, 2012 by
Premier Christy Clark was greeted by protesters when she arrived to speak at a private luncheon for women in Delta Friday morning. Before entering the Delta Town and Country inn, she paused only for a few moments to take questions from reporters about her office's credit card expenses. "Every province is going to have a bill similar to … [Read more...]
