Peter Milobar, left, and Todd Stone (Image Credit: CFJC Today / File Photo)

By James Peters

B.C. Budget

B.C. budget notable not for what it includes but what it lacks: Kamloops MLAs

Apr 20, 2021 | 5:37 PM

VICTORIA — The B.C. budget introduced Tuesday (Apr. 20) included billions of dollars in new spending as the NDP government works to lift the province’s economy out of its pandemic-induced doldrums.

New money was set aside for infrastructure, mental health and addictions, child care and affordable housing.

But for the two Kamloops MLAs who sit in opposition with the B.C. Liberals, the budget was notable for what it still failed to include.

Peter Milobar of Kamloops-North Thompson said he was looking for new schools in Kamloops, along with the long-promised cancer care centre. Neither were in the budget.

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“Quite shocking, what was left out of this budget with the amount of money being spent. Very little for Kamloops in the way of local projects and, certainly, the cancer centre is nowhere to be found, school capital is nowhere to be found,” Milobar told CFJC Today.

The only reference to a new school project in Kamloops is the replacement of Parkcrest Elementary, which was destroyed by fire in September, 2019.

“(New schools for Kamloops are) not there — but they did go out of the way to point out Parkcrest as an example in the budget at $34 million, even though that’s essentially an insurance claim,” said Milobar.

“When you’re not seeing other schools but you’re seeing a long list — two schools announced yet again for the premier’s riding — it does make one scratch their head when we could see other school capital in Kamloops, given our exploding population of school-aged children,” he added.

Milobar notes the government has seen 45,000 private-sector jobs disappear since the pandemic began in 2020, and has swelled the public service to the tune of 60,000 jobs.

Todd Stone, who is his party’s critic for the economic recovery portfolio, says Horgan’s NDP appears to be relying on creating government jobs rather than helping privately-owned businesses.

“It’s time for this government to focus on doing what needs to happen to create that environment for private-sector job creation,” said Stone. “That’s the only way that we’re going to be able to lead ourselves out of this pandemic and to a long-term and sustainable economic recovery.”

“There’s no new money for small business recovery and support whatsoever in the budget — aside from $120 million to support the tourism sector,” he continued. “The problem with that is that it’s too little, too late and it’s entirely focused on destination investments. It’s not focused on supporting small business and operators in the tourism sector.”

The B.C. Liberals have noted the lack of time to scrutinize the budget before the scheduled summer break begins. Milobar, the Opposition House Leader, indicated he may push to extend the session.

“If we feel that the government is trying to evade questions and not answering questions fully, it’s within our purview to be able to extend the session out a bit longer,” he said. “As house leader, I would definitely be recommending (an extension to the party), if the government chooses to not be forthright and forthcoming with their answers in a timely fashion.”