This is NOT a government friendly to BC families --- this is NOT a government that understands fiscal prudence – this is a government that needs to be sent packing.

BC Finance Minister Kevin Falcon

Finance Minister Kevin Falcon concluded today’s budget speech by stating:

When we were first elected and we got the province back on the road to balanced budgets, there were people who asked us why, and questioned the need to meet — as they saw it — some kind of arbitrary target.

Well, Mr. Speaker, as we look around the world today, we can see that balanced budgets are anything but arbitrary. They are an essential foundation for growth. That’s why our balanced-budget legislation mandates not just a time frame for balancing, but also pay-cuts for ministers for every year the budget is in deficit.

Keeping British Columbia’s fiscal house in order does mean some tough decisions in the short-term. But consider what’s at stake here. It’s our future, Mr. Speaker — the future of this province, and the future of our people.

We have one of the most diverse populations anywhere... with ties to countries and cultures around the world. And while we are all unique individuals, we all want the same basic things for our future.

We want to be able to support ourselves, and take care of our families. We want to know that important public services will be there when we need them. We want strong, secure communities where everyone contributes, and everyone belongs. And we all want to share in the wide-open sense of opportunity that has, for over 150 years, been the hallmark of British Columbia. 

That’s what keeps on bringing people here. That’s what generates confidence, growth and investment. And that’s the kind of future we’re building with this budget — a future of security, growth and opportunity. Thank you for being part of it. Now let’s get to work.

This government has NOT delivered on balanced budgets --- ending rising debt -- getting it's fiscal house in order -- or making it easier for families to care for themselves!

Right now, I have a few things to note for the moment --- and more I am sure will follow.

Any talk of balanced budgets is mathematically impossible when the provincial government’s debt will continue to rise.  Here’s the facts:

For fiscal year 2012 / 13 the government’s deficit is projected to be just under $1 billion – meantime the debt will rise to $57.6 billion

For the fiscal year 2013 / 14 Kevin Falcon is projecting a budget surplus of $154 million, however the debt will rise by 5 billion dollars to reach $62.7 billion

And for the third year of his projections (2014 / 15) Kevin Falcon is estimating a budget surplus of $250 million dollars at the same time the debt rises again.  For this budget year the government will be adding another $3.7 billion to the total debt, bringing it to a new all-time record of $66.4 billion.

The other day Christy Clark said she didn’t want to saddle our children and grand-children with debt.  What does Christy Clark and Kevin Falcon think this is … Monopoly money?  They may think this is a game to be packed away at the end of the day, but real people will be paying for their lack of fiscal prudence.   

BC Families take a hit as well in the wallet, in the coming fiscal year, with an increase cost of 4% on premiums for the Medical Services Plan.

More fee hikes??  You bet!

We’ll soon have a 7% increase on the way from BC Hydro.

ICBC increased insurance rates by 11.2 per cent just a couple of weeks ago …

Oh and don’t forget … we also have another tax increase coming to the Carbon Tax.  On July first the tax on fuel for our vehicles will go from 5.56 cents per liter, to 6.67 cents per liter.

This is NOT a government friendly to BC families --- this is NOT a government that understands fiscal prudence – this is a government that needs to be sent packing.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops with the thoughts of one conservative