February 09, 2016 - 3:43 PM
VICTORIA - Highlights of the British Columbia government's throne speech presented Tuesday:
— The province is promising to help people who want to become homeowners by looking for ways to increase the housing supply.
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— The government is staying the course on a 2013 Liberal campaign promise to develop liquefied natural gas, despite acknowledging that an unforeseen drop in global commodity prices will affect its initial timeline.
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— The province's operating debt will be paid down and a prosperity fund created to leave an endowment for future generations.
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— Increase financial support for the Agricultural Land Reserve and a tax credit will be extended to farmers who donate food to non-profit groups.
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— Work to renew the softwood lumber agreement with the United States and offer support for Canada on signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an international trade deal.
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— Introduce legislation in the coming weeks to modernize community care and assisted living, and negotiating a settlement with B.C. nurses.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016