BC Budget

              The B-C government is maintaining its focus on providing programs to help families cope financially in its latest budget, following efforts a year ago to crack down on property speculation and bringing in a child-care plan. Finance Minister Carole James says her surplus budget offers a helping hand to people with a package of child benefits for families, loan relief for students and assistance increases for the poor. It also provides homeowner incentives to fight climate change and includes a long-term revenue sharing agreement with Indigenous Peoples from provincial gaming. But Liberal Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson says the budget does nothing to stimulate the economy. It includes the new B-C Child Opportunity Benefit, a centrepiece of the fiscal plan that offers financial help to families with children up to 18 years old. Green Leader Andrew Weaver says the budget has his party’s influences on it, including the Clean B-C plan to fight climate change and the move to eliminate student loan interest payments. Weaver says the budget is a “clearly articulated vision” that signals moves towards a 21st century economy.