Editor,
The NDP can now pin the blame on Trump for their inept handling of our finances. But our provincial debt was already destined to more than triple by their 10th year of stewardship using their own figures. And that was pre-Trump.
Last year's planned deficit was $7.9 billion but was revised to $9.4 billion in the red. This year's was pegged at a deficit of $6.7 billion, but with various election goodies including the infamous $500 per voter bribe had swollen that projected deficit to $9.6 billion. Not sustainable and pencilled in before Trump.
They have managed to claw back $1.8 billion of this year's projected debt by cancelling that bribe while painting a picture of an economy under siege by Trump necessitating further restraint. Is this setting the tone for the 400,000 or so government employees whose contracts are up this year? If so, then government should lead by example.
From an article from the CTV Nov. 19, 2024: “All NDP MLAs receive a new title, and all but one get a raise.” It states “But each of Eby's 27 cabinet ministers will receive a raise, with just under $60,000 for ministers, and $41,000 for the four junior ministers, plus nearly $18,000 a year for the 14 parliamentary secretaries” and “The five MLAs not appointed elsewhere get other titles, including House Speaker and Government Whip. All but one, Rohini Arora, appointed Deputy Caucus Chair, get raises." But not to worry, apparently soon to be appointed in some capacity with a pay bump.
Meanwhile, British Columbians, time to tighten your belts.
Mike Bildstein, Surrey
