Michelle Stilwell says she is "absolutely" comfortable campaigning for her job this spring on the provincial budget released by her party this week.
"I'm really proud of this budget and really proud of the work this government has done," said Stilwell, the B.C. Liberal Party MLA for Parksville-Qualicum and the Minister of Social Development.
Stilwell said the planned cut in Medical Services Premiums — 50 per cent starting in January of 2018 — is significant for many residents of the Parksville Qualicum Beach region.
"I think the biggest change people will see (as an outcome from Tuesday's budget) is the 50 per cent decrease in MSP premiums," she said. "That will be a huge benefit for seniors."
Stilwell also said there's an opportunity for local groups to get some of the $920 million committed by the provincial government for the construction of 5,300 affordable housing units.
"I think that's something that we are continuing to work on and we are trying to work collaboratively," said Stilwell. "It has to come from the community first."
She said work on affordable housing and homeless issues continues in this region and includes the City of Parksville, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Homelessness Task Force.
Stilwell was asked why the government didn't eliminate the MSP premiums outright and immediately.
“It (the 50 per cent reduction) is what we can allow in the fiscal plan as it stands now,” she said. “We heard that in our consultations — the people want to see MSP premiums eliminated — and this is the first step.”
Stilwell also highlighted what she said is the province’s good financial standing with this balanced budget. While the operational side of government is not borrowing money to provide services, B.C.’s debt due to infrastructure investments has climbed to $77 billion.
“People don’t put much emphasis on how important our AAA credit rating is,” she said. “We’re saving $2.2 billion annually on interest payments.”
As for the growing debt: “In the long run those (infrastructure) are investments that help British Columbians. Only borrowing to build is a significant thing.”
Just before The NEWS’ press deadline Wednesday, Parskville-Qualicum NDP candidate Sue Powell offered these comments about the budget:
“There’s not a lot there for Parksville-Qualicum as far as I can see. There isn;t anything in there for seniors actually. The (MSP premium cut) doesn’t kick in until 2018.”
The provincial election is May 9.