Budget 2022 delivered

“Budget 2022 delivers $185 million over three years to support affected forest workers and contractors, industry, communities, and First Nations. For workers, this includes a bridging to retirement programs, creating new jobs through innovations like mass timber, and connecting people with skills training. For communities, this supports partnerships with businesses, more diverse local economies, and the creation of jobs through new local infrastructure projects,” Robinson told those present. “Additional opportunities for communities and First Nations will come with redistributed forest tenures. We intend to double the amount of replaceable forest tenure held by First Nations.”

The budget also commits $3.2 billion to strengthening health care and mental health care and $300-million to address surgical waitlists. And, while the minister applauded a number of hospital projects moving forward, there was a glaring omission.

“Budget 2022 continues our government’s work to deliver better care in communities throughout B.C. The Cowichan, Dawson Creek, Richmond, Burnaby and new Surrey hospital projects are all moving ahead, including a new state-of-the-art cancer care centre in Surrey. And more cancer care centres are being planned for Kamloops and Nanaimo. This year’s budget will continue to invest in Urgent and Primary Care Centres. Our goal is to nearly double the number of centres by 2025.”

And the budget delivered on what many had suggested it would. The BC Wildfire Service will be a year-round agency.

“In moments of crisis, the BC Wildfire Service and Emergency Management BC have been unwavering in their response. We owe them our thanks and so much more. Budget 2022 commits $145 million over three years to increase staff at both agencies and move toward a more proactive approach. For EMBC, this means a stronger provincial response to emergencies and more coordination with communities and First Nations. For the BC Wildfire Service, this marks a transition toward year-round fire fighting and risk mitigation. To support these efforts, Budget 2022 delivers nearly $200 million to support wildfire prevention activities. This includes $90 million in new funding to help more communities participate in programs like FireSmart.”

And, while the budget didn’t commit to 10-a-day daycare, it alluded to a new arrangement with the federal government that will it closer than ever.

by Cheryl Jahn

Budget 2022 delivered

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