The MLA for Burnaby North says it’s too early to know how many modular housing units for homeless people Burnaby will receive.
Janet Routledge made the comments following the NDP’s 2017/18 “budget update” on Monday.
The city is one of the only Metro Vancouver municipalities without a permanent homeless shelter.
The provincial government plans to spend $291 million on the construction of 2,000 modular housing units for people who are homeless and more than $170 million over three years to provide 24/7 staffing and support services.
“It’s a question I have,” Routledge said of how many units will be built in Burnaby.
“We’ll be following up on that. We definitely know housing is a critical issue in Burnaby and we’ve already been working – by ‘we’ I mean the four (Burnaby) MLAs – with the housing minister to move forward as quickly as possible on housing.”
The budget for 2017/18 totals $51.9 billion, nearly $2 billion more than the B.C. Liberals tabled earlier this year. The budget forecasts a $246 million surplus, which is $49 million less than the Liberals’ projected surplus.
Those making over $150,000 will see their income tax rate go up, from 14.7 per cent to 16.8 per cent. The general corporate income tax rate is going up to 12 per cent from 11 per cent.
The carbon tax will also see an increase by $5 per tonne, starting April 1, 2018. The New Democrats are doing away with the carbon tax being revenue-neutral.
British Columbians will see their MSP premiums cut in half as of Jan. 1, 2018. The government is looking to eliminate them altogether over the next four years.
Income and disability assistance is going up by $100 a month, while $208 million will be going toward building 1,700 new units of affordable rental housing.
The provincial government intends to spend $681 million over three years on the K-12 system, including $521 million to restore classroom size and composition to 2002 levels after the Supreme Court of Canada ruling, with the promise of hiring 3,500 new teachers.
“There’s more to come,” said Routledge. “That’s one thing I would really stress. We’ve actually been in the house for three days, and this is a budget update. We’re aiming in February to produce a budget that is much more detailed. ... It’ll have more of our stamp on it.”
Promises not included in Monday’s announcement are a $400-a-year renters’ rebate, $10-a-day child care, a $1,000 completion grant for college and university graduates and more.
“Addressing these complex problems won’t happen overnight. But just because some of the issues we face are tough ... just because they’re going to take time to resolve ... doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take first steps to address them,” said finance minister Carole James. “This budget update is a start as we move towards our first full budget in February.”
