Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says now isn’t the time to start making cuts, so there is more money for things like health care, addiction treatment, foster care, rent control and family supports.Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion delivered straight to your inbox at 7 a.m., Monday to Friday.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
The B.C. Chamber of Commerce says the government’s focus on spending on social and community issues comes at the expense of businesses that face increased costs. Housing advocates say the money promised in the budget shows the government’s strong commitment to tackling the housing crisis. And in what is a first for Canada, B.C. will make prescription contraception free to all residents starting April 1, in what the group AccessBC says will save the government about $95 million a year through reductions in abortions, prenatal visits and social supports.