According to today’s budget announcement, BC is now forecasting a 483 million dollar deficit for 2021-22, significantly lower than prior projections.
That projection is down from the 9.7 billion dollar deficit predicted in Budget 2021, but the massive decrease isn’t expected to stick around.
Pandemic-spending forced high revenues, leading to the change, and the province is projecting the 2022-23 deficit to return to 5.5 billion dollars.
Announced this afternoon, the 2022 Budget focuses on pandemic recovery, disaster response, health service improvements, and job retention.
2.4 billion is being earmarked to improve childcare, with a portion supporting the Aboriginal Head Start program, which provides culture based inclusive child care.
Another 3.2 billion is being invested in strengthening physical and mental health services, part of which will see up to 15 First Nations primary care centres built.
2.1 billion will go towards building back after and protection against climate emergencies, which will, in part, see the Wildfire Service shift to a year-round service.
More than 289 million dollars will see more than 280 First Nations, rural, and remote communities gain access to high-speed internet.
In addition, funding was announced to help forestry workers transition to new paths in the industry, stem homelessness, and build jobs.
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