What they said

“It’s a great budget for the one per cent. Everything is going up — hydro rates, medical premiums, ferry fares. Everyone is getting poorer, and then Kevin Falcon stands up there and says he might, just might, raise corporate taxes by just one per cent. We know whose team he’s playing for, and it’s not the team of people who work for a living.” — Jim Sinclair, president, B.C. Federation of Labour

“Hopefully this will set the stage for people to be confident in their purchasing. The western Canadian economy is improving and this budget provides clarity to keep consumer confidence growing.” — Mark Startup, the Association for Retail

Entrepreneurs

“My main reaction is one of shock. I’m dumb founded. They are increasing health spending by just 2.9 per cent, which will not cover inflation and population growth. I can’t see how the health authorities can avoid service cuts as a result . . . There’s going to be a lot of pain.” — Debra Mcpherson, president of the B.C.

Nurses Union

“There’s been a real abandonment of the premier’s families-first agenda. It’s a very harsh and punishing budget.”

— Mary Ellen Turpel-lafond, B.C. representative for children and youth

“It’s a responsible budget for a fragile time. When you look at what’s happening in Europe and the United States, and some concerns in Asia, this is a prudent budget.”

— Greg D’avignon, Business Council of B.C.

“This was just dropped on us, and we want assurance that our members will get protection.” — Darryl Walker,

president, B.C. Government and Service Employees Union, talking about the 400 to 500 unionized workers in the liquor-distribution system