File photo: Castanet
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce was hoping to see more transportation money in the B.C. budget.
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce wanted to see a bolder vision from BC Finance Minister Selina Robinson when she released the provincial budget on Tuesday.
The chamber believes this year’s NDP budget “holds the line” when it should have stepped up to lead the nation’s economic recovery.
“We believe in being prudent,” chamber executive director Dan Rogers said in a press release. “But we also were hoping for a powerful vision and bold action that would set the tone for a strong economic recovery in B.C.”
There were some positives, according to the Kelowna chamber, which is happy to see that there will be investment in the hydrogen economy and Highway 1 infrastructure, as well as confirmation of wholesale pricing for liquor to support the hospitality licensees.
The chamber also praised the government’s commitment to continue the PST exemption on select machinery and equipment, increased funding for the tourism sector and more training space for early childhood educators.
The chamber wanted to see more when it came to transportation needs in the Okanagan and was not pleased that there was hardly a mention of reducing interprovincial trade barriers for the wine industry.
And the chamber reiterated its stance that the speculation tax has done a good job bringing in money but has done nothing to increase affordable housing.
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