The spring session of the BC Legislature got underway today with a throne speech that focused heavily on health care and the cost of living.
BC Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin says the provincial government plans to put this year’s projected budget surplus of almost $6 billion dollars to work, with an economic slowdown on the horizon. The speech says the government won’t respond to a looming downturn by cutting services and pulling back supports, especially at a time when people are still finding their way through the pandemic. Austin says the government will introduce new legislation this spring covering pay transparency, fighting organized crime and money laundering, and outlawing malicious non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Premier David Eby is not in town today for what would be his first throne speech since replacing former premier John Horgan. He’s in Ottawa with the other premiers to meet with Justin Trudeau to negotiate increased funding for health care.
