Conservative budget fails BC families

Budget ignores the needs of British Columbians

OTTAWA – Yesterday’s budget included no help for families and shows how Conservatives continue to take British Columbians for granted, according to NDP leader Thomas Mulcair.

Cuts announced for the Old Age Security program and healthcare funding were confirmed in the budget plan tabled today by the Minister of Finance.

“Stephen Harper promised to protect healthcare funding – and didn’t,” said Mulcair. “And he didn’t tell Canadians about his plan to cut Old Age Security until after the last election. Mr. Harper prefers short-changing provinces and balancing the budget on their backs. It’s unacceptable.”

The budget also cut millions from Western Economic Diversification Canada, and provides no funding for transit, housing or immigrant settlement services.

“This budget largely ignores the needs of British Columbians,” said Mulcair. “Conservatives have billions to build prisons, buy fighter jets, and offer gifts to their friends in large corporations but nothing to address the affordable housing crisis in BC; the need for investment in public transit; or the need for economic diversification.”

“The NDP will stand up for British Columbians. New Democrats will never take BC for granted,” said Mulcair.