British Columbia Federation of Labour

BC’s next budget should reduce income inequality and boost BC’s energy capacity, says the B.C. Federation of Labour, with a minimum wage increase and a return to public power generation.

"BC has the highest poverty rates in the country," said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair in his Submission to the Finance Committee of the Legislature, which is conducting pre-budget consultations.

"Tax cuts won’t help these people and would hurt services. The next budget should give these individuals a raise with a minimum wage increase and improvements to income assistance."

The budget should also tackle poverty by investing in childcare and restoring funding to women’s centres, added Federation Secretary-Treasurer Angela Schira, who joined Sinclair for the Port Coquitlam Submission.

"Our record of increasing child poverty is a disgrace."

The Federation also urged the government to save money and generate economic benefits by allowing BC Hydro to get into power generation instead of buying all future requirements from private producers. "This step alone will save consumers billions and make us more competitive," Sinclair said.