January 9, 2006
Record low interest rates and soaring commodity prices have been a recipe for economic success for many in British Columbia recently. They've even contributed to a surplus budget; something the Premier is quick to take credit for. But at the same time, deep cuts to public services and a devaluation of the important work of health care workers, educators and other public sector workers, have hurt many British Columbians.
As with most things, it is never as bad as critics claim and it is never as good as advocates argue. The truth rests somewhere in the middle and the challenge for Members of the Legislative Assembly, as we prepare to debate the Provincial Budget for the coming year, is to ensure that the proper balance gets struck.
One way to make that happen is to look at performance measures that show the whole picture, that include all British Columbians. For instance, a report released last November by First Call BC and the Social Planning and Research Council of BC highlighted data showing British Columbia had the highest child poverty rate in Canada. Statistics Canada data showed that BC's child poverty rate was 23.9 per cent. It was the highest among all of the provinces and the national average of 17.6 per cent. This was the second year in a row under Gordon Campbell's leadership that BC had the highest child poverty rate in Canada. It's a shameful distinction that the Premier doesn't like to acknowledge.
The test of a progressive society is how we treat those least fortunate among us. During the recent legislative session we, members of the Official Opposition, revealed that deep cuts to child protection in BC put many vulnerable children in at risk. Compounding the tragedy of the death of a child in the care of the Ministry, budget cuts meant the province could not learn from them. The Opposition has been calling on the government to reinstate the independent Children's Commission and increase funding to the Ministry of Children and Family Development so the children who need help, get it.
As collective agreements come up for negotiation in the areas of health and education there is an expectation that those that paid most to balance the budget will be among the first to benefit from the revenue windfall from oil and gas sales, and high lumber and metal prices.
Next month, the government will deliver another budget and we will see exactly what choices they make. I want to see choices that continue to keep BC's economy strong for the benefit of all British Columbians, so I will be pushing to ensure there is more support for children in need, long-term care for seniors and communities needing better health care services and adequate funding to ensure public education is as good as it can be.
