BC Council for Families

Finance Minister Colin Hansen introduced BC’s new budget last week by recognizing some of the challenges that families are facing: “Too many people across B.C. are still feeling the effects of the downturn. Too many families are still struggling. And too many communities still face uncertainty.” So how is the provincial government planning to help families and communities?

New government measures to assist families include:

• Increase in homeowner grant for northern and rural home owners up to $200, bringing to $770 the amount some people will be able to receive towards their property taxes. Seniors in those areas will be able to receive up to $1,045.
• Option to defer payment of property taxes for families with children under 18.
• $26 million over three years to help pay for child care costs to low and moderate income families.
• An additional $112 million on K-12 education this year, to a total of $4.66 billion, covering staffing costs and partial implementation of all-day kindergarten in September.

Health care and education are the two main areas where government spending hasn't been cut or frozen. Health Minister Kevin Falcon was quoted as saying “I think what we tried to do is we want a budget that recognizes young families … Part of this is trying to be strategic. Other ministries outside education and health care are going to have to tighten their belts.” Ministry of Children and Family Development will see only a 1.2% budget increase this year – and then faces two years with no planned increases.

Tell us how you feel about BC’s budget: Will it assist families in your community? What are the needs that you see, and how would you address them?