Media Roundtable with BC Premier

On March 4,The Premier of BC addressed the South Asian Media on at Grand Taj Hall Banquet Hall in Surrey. MLA Bruce Ralston Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology-Surrey-Whalle, MLA: Hon. Harry Bains, Surrey-Newton, Minister of Labour MLA Jagrup Brar, Surrey-Fleetwood MLA: Minister of Citizens’ Services MLA: Rachna Singh, SurreyGreen Timbers, MLA: Ravi Kahlon, Delta North and MLA Garry Begg, Surrey-Guildford, MLA Raj Chouhan, Burnaby-Edmonds were also the participants. Premiere John Horgan said in his second address to the South Asian Media, the Premier focused his discussion around the NDP Proposed Budget for 2018. Amongst his priorities, Premier Horgan started with housing and assured his commitment to increase affordability and supply by building over 34,000 units across BC. This would include units of mixed-income social housing, new beds for student and units for the homeless persons. The Premiere also announced a budget of $1 billion into child care spanned over three years. Also, approximately 86000 British Columbians will be eligible for child care benefit which will provide up to $1250/month to reduce child care fees. MSP’s have also been cut in half this year and will be eliminated completely by Jan, 1, 2020. The Premier stated that his will result in savings of up to $1800 for families on an annual basis. The Premier is also committed to increase in the Minimum wage to $15/hr. In terms of the accomplishments the NDP Government has already completed since coming in power, the Premier highlighted the following -Purchase of Waneta dam through BC Hydro to keep the rates low. - Formation of Poverty Reduction Advisory Forum in listening to people across BC who are working to eliminate poverty. - Increased access to Adult Basic Education and English Learning centers. - Providing wavers for post-secondary education to youth aging out of foster care system - Securing 1000 high tech jobs through working with High Tech firms such as Amazon - Strengthening economic ties with China, South Korea and Japan who constitute three of BC largest trade Partners. - Reduced the small business tax rate by 20% - $14.6 Billion investment over 3 years in building schools, hospitals, roads and transit. - A new movable barrier system to eliminate congestion on the Alex Fraser Bridge - Planning of a new hospital in Surrey, BC - Actions to provide safer schools across the provinces in BC. The Premier also highlighted actions taken to strengthen the democratic process in BC through -Holding referendum to give people the power to change our current voting system in order to find proportional representation -Legislation introduced to reduce the numbers of seats required for recognized political parties from four to two - Launched the renewal of the human rights commission - Increased funding by $6 million for BC Health Kids Program - Restoration of the UBC Therapeutics initiative to keep drug costs down and patients safe by providing annual funding of $2 million per year. - Changed the fixed date election to a Saturday in October -Engaging 48, 000 British Columbians in the Marijuana Legalization debate in focus on all problems and provide solutions for the foreseen National Legalization set to happen in 2018 - Doubling funding for the surrey WRAP program to reduce gang violence and keep at risk youth out of gangs. - Actions to crackdown on illegal firearms in BC

Thanks for Al ameen post for few notes for this report