On Valentine's Day, as the BC Budget approaches, we're reminded of some of the most high profile gift giving in BC right now.
Government finance
Budgets are about choices and priorities. Here is an example of what was revealed in Budget 2015.
(Victoria) Budget 2015 demonstrates a short-sighted focus on recording a surplus instead of a long-term vision that would address serious social and environmental deficits, says Iglika Ivanova, Senior Economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Ivanova points to Finance Minister Michael de Jong’s comment that “We will not be a government that leaves it to future generations to pay for the services we benefit from today.”
St John's – At a time when deficits are plaguing resource rich economies in Canada and global oil fluctuations are putting fuel on the fire, a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) lays out options for long term economic stability and fairness for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Options for a Strong Economy, by Diana Gibson and Greg Flanagan, presents evidence showing that NL's economy is strong across a range of metrics and spending is on par with where it should be but, revenue shortfalls are a serious concern.
This report looks carefully at the drivers of the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) deficit, the province’s strengths and options for addressing sustainability. It begins with a big picture look at the province’s fundamentals across a range of economic metrics. It then turns to the expense side, looking at expenses in comparative, historical and affordability contexts. Finally, the report examines the revenue side, looking at comparative tax structures across the country, affordability, and areas where NL has room to move.
While undermining Canada's economic recovery, the government's austerity measures have also impacted federally delivered services, with the biggest cuts made in areas where Canadians most heavily rely on the federal government. Who paid for the government's cuts? You did. Find out how in our report, At What Cost? and in the graphics below:
This study reviews the extent of federal government cuts and provides tangible examples of how these cuts have negatively impacted important public services. While undermining Canada's economic recovery, the government's austerity measures have also impacted federally delivered services, with the biggest cuts made in areas where Canadians most heavily rely on the federal government.
OTTAWA—While Finance Minister Joe Oliver is expected to announce a balanced budget today, a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives examines the toll federal austerity measures have had on public services.
The report, by CCPA Senior Economist David Macdonald and Research Associate Kayle Hatt, reviews the extent of federal government cuts and provides tangible examples of how these cuts have negatively impacted important public services.
2015 marks the sixth year of BC's recovery from the recession. But it's been a slow and largely jobless recovery. The provincial government's economic strategy hinges on natural gas/LNG developments that are unlikely to materialize—and that, if they did, would be terrible for the environment. Meanwhile, our province continues to face high levels of inequality and poverty.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
This fall’s legislative sitting will be an important one for shaping the future of LNG in BC. Will one or more companies make final investment decisions? And if they do will there be any public benefits?