Late budget means less time for scrutinization; MLA Tegart

The BC NDP and Finance Minster Selina Robinson are set to table their budget today, two months later than usual.

Budgets have historically been presented in late February, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Government pushed the date back to April 20, 2021.

“We will have an opportunity once the budget is presented to scour the budget and to go through budget estimates,” said Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart. “With the budget being presented two months late this year, we are going to have much more limited time for estimates, which is a shame because it is our opportunity to hold government to account.”

“There is no doubt that people expect we will be in a deficit, but just exactly what that deficit looks like and where the money was spent will be of great interest to people in British Columbia,” added Tegart.

Despite the shorter time frame, Tegart promised the Liberals would be rigorous in their questioning during estimates.