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B.C. legislature to reopen with fewer MLAs to tackle COVID-19

Province will dip into deficit due to pandemic, Carole James says
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B.C. Finance Minister Carole James presents her budget in the B.C. legislature, Feb. 18, 2020. (B.C. government)

The B.C. government香蕉视频直播檚 billion-dollar contingency fund and more will be needed to get B.C. through the COVID-19 crisis, Finance Minister Carole James says.

James said Tuesday she expects B.C. to fall into deficit as she works with the federal government on a relief package for people who lose employment due to the global coronavirus pandemic. She is waiting for the federal government to decide if it will expand its Employment Insurance program to cover self-employed people and contractors who temporarily lose their jobs.

Premier John Horgan said the B.C. legislature will resume operation next week, with the first priority to amend the Employment Standards Act so people are not laid off if they have to stay home due to potential virus exposure.

The legislature will have a quorum but not all 87 MLAs will be returning to Victoria to debate bills, Horgan said.

香蕉视频直播淲hen I hear the top three things that are on people香蕉视频直播檚 minds across the province, it inevitably comes down to, 香蕉视频直播榳ill I continue to receive a paycheque, is my job secure, can I pay my rent, is my business going to get through this?香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈 Horgan said.

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The current B.C. budget has about $1 billion in contingency funds, and the next budget starting April 1 has similar provisions, but those will likely not be enough for this situation, she said.

香蕉视频直播淚t is likely we will have a deficit,香蕉视频直播 James said. 香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 no question about that, but the specifics and the numbers, it香蕉视频直播檚 just too early. It香蕉视频直播檚 changing every day.香蕉视频直播

James said she has been meeting with the retail industry, and there is no reason for overstocking supplies as public gatherings and businesses reduce or close to prevent infection.



tfletcher@blackpress.ca

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