Budget 2022 Moves Stronger BC Plan Forward
Originally published by TIABC
On February 22, Premier John Horgan and Minister of Finance Selina Robinson delivered Budget 2022. The economic picture is expected to be short-lived due to an influx in pandemic-specific cash in the last year.
The forecast deficit for 2021/22 is now $483 million, a dramatic decrease from the $9.7 billion-projected deficit in last year’s budget. The one-year rebound is short-lived, with the province forecasting a deficit of $5.46 billion in 2022/23 and $4.18 billion in 2023/24. Budget 2022 has been build up the following three themes:
Building a stronger society by putting people first
The investments made to date in services like health care, child care and housing have supported people through the pandemic and recent climate-related disasters. Budget 2022 builds on this strength by continuing to invest in the quality, accessibility and responsiveness of the services people rely on.
Building a stronger environment for our future
Recent climate-related disasters have challenged British Columbians and reinforced the need to secure a low-carbon future for BC. Budget 2022 helps fight climate change, build back better from recent disasters, and makes sure people and communities throughout BC are protected from future disasters.
With significant new funding for Emergency Management BC and the BC Wildfire Service, Budget 2022 funds new facilities and equipment to respond to disasters and supports a proactive, year-round service model for the BC Wildlife Service. The BC Wildfire Service will be turned into a year-round service at a cost of $243 million.
Building a stronger economy for everyone
Budget 2022 helps make sure people throughout BC are poised to benefit from a growing economy, today and into the future by investing in an inclusive, sustainable and innovative economy that works for everyone.
Budget 2022 invests to connect another 280 First Nations, rural and remote communities to high-speed internet. With this investment, 82% of rural and remote communities and 92% of First Nations communities in BC will be connected to high-speed internet.
A New Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship will support economic activity, environmental sustainability and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
How Budget 2022 is Supporting the Tourism Sector Through Pandemic Recovery
Budget 2022 earmarks $25 million in funding to support the tourism sector’s continuing recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional funding is also being provided this year to support non-profit organizations affected by the pandemic; the recovery of the arts, culture and music sectors through the Arts Impacts and Amplify BC programs; and additional tourism supports, including funding to support the safe restart of fairs, festivals and events.