David Eby's first throne speech delivered without him
Homes for the middle class and investments in health-care were among the priorities the B.C. government outlined Monday in the first throne speech with David Eby as premier – delivered without him in attendance.
The sounds and sights in Victoria were, for the most part, typical for a throne speech. But instead of the premier, his deputy greeted Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin ahead of the highly anticipated speech.
Observers were watching to see if Eby would veer off the course set by his predecessor John Horgan. The government priorities stuck very closely to those set out by Eby in his 100-day plan, including health care, housing affordability, community safety, climate change and economic growth.
Unlike many throne speeches of the past, this one offered some hints of what's ahead. Some initiatives include:
- Help for lower income people and parents
- New laws to go after gangs, money launderers and those who share intimate photos without consent
- An action team targeting repeat violent offenders
- Job training for a green economy
- Faster action on health care
Austin read the government's blueprint, as per tradition, but without the premier in the house.
ECONOMIC HEADWINDS
After noting the many challenges facing British Columbians, including inflation, health care woes and a toxic drug crisis, Austin said the government is choosing to continue to invest in services, despite warnings of a global economic slowdown.
In the speech, the government said child care savings delivered for kids under six will be extended to parents with school-aged children. Details of the program and others are expected in the spring budget, due later this month.
Speaking in place of the premier, government house leader and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon wouldn't say if the next budget would be balanced or in deficit. He told reporters he'd leave the details to the finance minister.
“British Columbians have been clear to us that it's vitally important for us to find ways to support them in their needs now," Kahlon said.
The government will deliver its next budget at the end of February, and is already warning this year's surplus likely won't be repeated.
HEALTH CARE
Eby and other premiers are in Ottawa to meet with the prime minister and get more money for health care.
The throne speech outlined several measures already underway to alleviate strain on the system, including faster credentialing for health care workers educated outside Canada, as well as a new payment model for family doctors.
The speech also promised the recruitment of new health-care workers to "fight cancer with new investments to enhance access to screening and early detection, diagnostic imaging, and treatments," said Austin.
Many of the other measures have already been announced, or are underway, including a new medical school, new hospitals, and a new agreement with family doctors to keep them in the field.
HOUSING
The province will also outline a new housing strategy this fall. Kahlon told reporters it would build on what he insisted were successes on the housing file.
"We have launched a one-stop shop for expediting permit times for projects that meet a certain criteria," Kahlon added.
The throne speech also promises to help middle-income earners with affordable housing.
Yet opposition leader Kevin Falcon pointed out the NDP is falling short on another housing promise: building affordable homes.
"Now they're saying the solution to middle class housing is government? Give me a break - this is a government who promised 114,000 units," said Falcon. "We have less than 16,000 built."
Echoing the Liberals' critique, the Greens said the NDP hasn't delivered a plan to measure whether its policies are working.
In a statement, leader Sonia Furstenau writing in part, “It’s not about measuring construction starts, but how many fewer people are homeless or precariously housed. It’s not about how much money it has invested in healthcare, but how many more people are attached to a family doctor."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.