/
/
/
/
/
BC Liberals’ spending and tax cuts ‘a costly mistake’

BC Liberals’ spending and tax cuts ‘a costly mistake’

Pre-budget submission by CUPE BC calls on gov’t to restore funding for public services

BURNABY—The BC Liberal government’s decision to cut spending during the recession while cutting taxes at the same time was a political move that will not only hurt those who need public services most but also undermine the recovery of the economy, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

In a pre-budget submission to the British Columbia Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill gives the government a failing grade for cutting taxes while also cutting funds to school boards and to the post-secondary, library, child care and community social services sectors.

“The benefits tax cuts offer low and middle income people are nowhere near the value of the services they lose to pay for those tax cuts,” O’Neill says in his submission. “The services cut across sectors in British Columbia and are too valuable to lose. We believe they must be restored.”

O’Neill’s submission cites research demonstrating spin-off effects that spending cuts can have throughout the economy. Cuts of $1-2 billion, for example, would further depress the economy and cost the province between 18,000 and 35,000 jobs.

“The programs cut to give short-term financial relief will cause significant long-term harm that will be costly to all British Columbians,” says O’Neill, adding that the announced public sector wage freeze will damage the economy more than help it.

“Public sector wages buy groceries and cars. We shop in our downtowns. Thanks to this wage freeze, these merchants will see fewer public sector dollars,” he says.

CUPE BC represents approximately 80,000 workers. Roughly one third of them work in the school board and local government sectors, while nearly 14,000 CUPE members provide support services and work in classrooms as teaching assistants in the post-secondary sector. CUPE BC also represents paramedics and workers in libraries, community social services, boards and commissions, and transportation.

cope 491
Share this

Latest News

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

February 22, 2024
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life…
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life...

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

February 15, 2024
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage…
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage...

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

February 13, 2024
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing…
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing...