Amongst all the MSP changes, prosperity funds and other budget items, Finance Minister Mike de Jong managed to work in a couple of kind words for Penticton and area.
Penticton MLA Dan Ashton said Penticton and Peachland were the only two communities singled out this way, with de Jong praising the cities’ willingness to work with other levels of government on housing, like the deal signed last November bringing 70 units of low and moderate cost housing to Penticton.
“Some local governments are already doing a good job of trying to move their processes forward to get housing approved said de Jong. “We need more of this kind of collaboration, and I urge municipal leaders to work together through UBCM to share best practices and ways to streamline these processes.”
“We’re progressive, because we work together and that is one of the reasons we got it,” said Ashton. “That’s what happens when governments work together, we can get things done a lot quicker.”
Chief Jonathon Kruger and the Penticton Indian Band were also singled out for praise towards the end of de Jong’s speech Tuesday, reading from Kruger’s “report card” on band activities.
“We’re breaking records every year for the amount of band members working. The subtrades are really busy, and it’s a good injection into the local economy. It’s great to see so many young people working,” wrote Kruger.
Ashton singled out two budget items as likely to affect life in Penticton, starting with changes to the MSP premiums.
“MSP premiums for kids are now free. That’s a big one coming forward that starts Jan. 1 2017,” said Ashton. Along with lifting premiums for children, premiums will be reduced for many single parents and people earning less than $42,000 a year.
On the other hand, premiums are increasing for couples with no children, who will now pay twice the individual rate paid by single adults. MSP premiums are also rising by four per cent for those earning more than $51,000 a year.
Vancouver isn’t the only area where the province is paying attention to the housing market.
The limit for the property purchase tax on new housing is being raised to $70,000, a move that Ashton said will lead to substantial savings for those entering the housing market.
“That’s a $13,000 savings, that’s substantial, that’s the kitchen appliances,” said Ashton. “Most houses in Penticton aren’t close to that, so there is no property purchase tax on that.”
The Okanagan Basin Water Board was hoping to see some funds in the budget for enhanced inspection stations to prevent entry of invasive mussels into B.C. They didn’t get it, but Ashton said that is still a live topic.
“Is there an itemized line item for that, no. But it has the province’s attention and it has mine,” said Ashton, adding that the problem of zebra and quagga mussels is being worked on through the International Pacific Northwest Economic Region board, which he is taking over as president of this summer.
“We are working very diligently with our peers, both provincially and across the line to ensure zebra and quagga mussels don’t get into B.C.,” said Ashton.