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B.C.'s balanced budget papers over chronic funding shortfalls across government

“BCGEU members know all too well that budget cuts have undermined the delivery of public services and that these cuts have a negative impact on the economy.” - Darryl Walker, BCGEU President.

Vancouver (24 Feb. 2014) — The B.C. government has released its provincial budget which has been balanced at a high cost and offers little to British Columbians looking for economic growth, job creation and quality public services.

Underfunding of public services still a mainstay in B.C. budget

“Today’s budget continues to underfund public services and does not repair any of the damage done by budget cuts and freezes over the last dozen years,” says Darryl Walker, President of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE). “Any government can slash spending, but there is more to balancing the budget than a single bottom line. We need a provincial government that invests in British Columbians. That requires targeted deficit spending today and deficit reductions when the economy recovers in the future.”

“If the government really is confident in an LNG  industry in our province, some of that future revenue should be invested in services British Columbians need today. That means investing in education and skills training,  supporting our most vulnerable, and rebuilding quality public infrastructure such as our justice system which is plagued with backlogs and delays,” says Walker. “BCGEU members know all too well that budget cuts have undermined the delivery of public services and that these cuts have a negative impact on the economy.”

Funding increase for child and family services welcome but won't address workload issues

The BCGEU/NUPGE welcomes increased funding for the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Community Living B.C., but these increases will not keep up with case load pressures and will put people at risk. There are other ministries and agencies desperately in need of adequate funding.

B.C. already has the leanest public service of any province in Canada. With a jobs plan that has completely failed, this government will eliminate another 1,000 good public service jobs and continue to undermine services.

“The finance minister needs to explain how a supposedly balanced budget is good for people who can't find a job, young people who can't get training and seniors who can't get home care,” says Walker.  “This budget is all about paying off the debt for the future, but ignores the needs of many people today.”

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE