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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Hey Danielle, will you take pity on us and transfer your surplus to us so we can balance the books?

Recent budget updates for the province of Alberta, and BC, shows how much of a difference there is in how finances are managed in each province!

In neighbouring Alberta, their government continues to manage the province’s finances responsibly with the future in mind.
 In a media release today the provincial government of Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party show they continue to lead the nation in economic growth as they are forecasting a SURPLUS of $5.5 billion in 2023-24 ... an increase, they say, of $3.2 billion from Budget 2023

BC Finance Minister Katrine Conroy


MEANTIME HERE IN BC ...

Just two days ago we had news that the provinces NDP government, led by David Eby, is now showing that the BC 2023/24 budget will have a $5.6 billion DEFICIT

How is it that Alberta can have a surplus of five and a half billion dollars while we have the same dollar amount as a deficit?

I'll give my answer -- the resource industry of BC continues to be hammered over and over again by excessive regulation and oversight.  Our provincial government has seen forestry, mining, oil and gas all suffer losses as investment has fled elsewhere.

The only thing that is going to change that is for the Eby's NDP government to be kicked to the curb in next Fall's provincial election, scheduled for October 2024.

There is one major obstacle to that however.

BC does not currently have a clear path for BC United, or the Conservative Party of BC to be the challenger as both parties have been deadlocked in support, with each in the low to mid-20's.

Kevin Falcon, leader of BC United (formerly BC Liberals), has failed to this point to create the big tent party which he claims they are. On the other hand John Rustad's Conservative Party of BC is challenging them on all sides. Indeed, Rustad is now going after labour support which has traditionally gone to the NDP.

All of this leads to one sad fact ... without a major shift of support to either BC United, of the Conservatives, we are likely in for at least one more term with the NDP in control of the provinces finances --- and more and more budget deficits as Finance Minister Katrine Conroy piles up the provincial debt.
With that in mind, I will ask, tongue in cheek ... "Hey Danielle, will you take pity on us and transfer your surplus to us so we can balance the books?"

In Kamloops, I'm Alan Forseth

 

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