Mixed reaction to B.C.’s free-spending election year budget

Here’s what people are saying about the 2024 British Columbia budget:

“Some look at the challenges ahead and say government should respond with deep cuts, leaving people to fend for themselves. This would only weaken the services we all rely on and drive up costs with added fees and fares.” — Katrine Conroy, minister of finance

“Right now that was a choice we had to make and it was the right choice.” — Conroy on the increased deficit

“Not once did the finance minister mention there was going to be a record deficit.” — Peter Milobar, BC United finance critic

“This budget is disappointingly familiar, it lacks innovation and forward-thinking initiatives. This government has demonstrated it’s not interested in creating a livable world for our children. Instead, they are telling British Columbians to fend for themselves.” — Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Green Party, MLA for Cowichan Valley

“This is a reckless, inflationary budget that’s going to make things more unaffordable for families because when government is spending this recklessly, it drives inflationary pressures, which impacts groceries, it impacts housing, it impacts everything that is already affecting British Columbians.” — Kevin Falcon, opposition leader

“Can we afford the plans laid out today? The question is, how is that going to be serviced over the next number of years?” — Fiona Famluk, president of B.C. Chamber of Commerce on the budget deficit and debt numbers

“We’re going to be delivering all of these wonderful new babies we’re going to see. I’m happy for the people it’s going to help.” — Kristan Ash, executive director of Midwives Association of B.C., on plans for free IVF treatment

“We know there is more to do to rebuild our health-care system, and this