Surrey-We know that some people are struggling as global inflation has been raising costs for people across the globe, including right here in British Columbia. I have heard from members of our community that they are facing financial pressures, are concerned about affording necessities, and are looking for support.
Your BCNDP government is here to listen and support you, and that’s why we’re putting more money back in peoples’ pockets through new programs we’ve recently announced and programs we know work for people that we’re expanding.
Starting in April, households will save on their electricity costs through the BC Electricity Affordability Credit.
We are also expanding the BC Family Benefit by increasing both the level of support and the number of eligible families. This means that a family of four who received $1,597 last year will now receive $2,045 starting in July, and a family who previously wasn’t eligible can start receiving payments.
To help support renters, we introduced the new Renters Tax Credit which people can benefit from starting this tax season, putting an average of $374.50 back in renters’ pockets.
We are also expanding access to safe and affordable daycare through our $10-a-day childcare program, ChildCareBC. Right now, under this program more than 63,000 families are saving up to nearly $900 per child per month, and this is continuing to grow.
Small business owners are also feeling the pressure of global inflation. This is why we are doubling the Employer Health Tax exemption threshold from $500,000 to $1 million immediately, so business owners can get the break they need now
On International Women’s Day, we’re recognizing women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people in BC who make amazing contributions to our province.
We’ve made progress, but women and gender-diverse people still tend to do more of the unpaid work of childcare, bear the cost of reproductive health, and face higher rates of violence, often while getting paid less at work. Gender equity benefits everyone and is essential to the health of families, communities, our economy, and the planet. We’ll continue to take action towards gender equity so that every person, regardless of gender identity and expression, can reach their full potential.
