Finance Minister Selina Robinson tabled the 2022 budget in the BC Legislature this week. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights noted in Tyee journalist Andrew Macleod’s coverage of the budget, which the Tyee describes as a “stay-the-course” budget.
The budget includes stable funding for about 50 community-based sexual assault response organizations and 15 First Nations primary care centres throughout the province, and $633 million over three years “towards providing services and supports for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.”
Speaking to reporters, Robinson said that youth leaving government foster care are at significantly higher risk of experiencing homelessness and need increased support. “Parenting responsibilities don’t end when a child turns 19, nor do government’s responsibilities to young people in its care,” she said.
The budget includes $35 million over three years so that youth will be supported until they turn 27 as they transition out of care.
There is also, with support from the federal government, spending to add 40,000 child care spaces over the next seven years, with families paying an average of $20 per day per child for care by the end of 2022.
The budget adds $166 million to the government’s affordable housing plan, which will have an annual investment of $1.2 billion by 2025.
Despite inflation running at about 4.3 per cent in the province, the budget includes no increase to income and disability assistance rates.