By Canadian Press

NDP throne speech in B.C. highlights accomplishments at midway point of mandate

Feb 11, 2020 | 3:21 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s NDP government is promising new funding supplements for children and youth in care and the expansion of commuter service into the Fraser Valley in a throne speech today.

The speech, read by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, outlines the government’s political accomplishments during its 2 1/2 years in power before promising a better future.

It says the elimination of Medical Services Plan premiums, reductions in child care fees, the construction of thousands of affordable homes and increases to the minimum wage are helping people.

The speech says reconciliation efforts with B.C.’s Indigenous Peoples led to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Austin delivered the speech as protesters supporting Indigenous opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project in northern B.C. chanted anti-government slogans outside the legislature.

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The speech says in less than three years, the government has started 13 hospital projects, opened 12 urgent and primary care centres, and construction has started or been completed on 23,000 affordable homes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2020.

The Canadian Press