Standard and Poors - BC Gov't retains Triple-A Credit Rating

Editor's Note - This is good news for the BC Government, especially with BC returning to the former taxation regrime (old PST/GST) by March of 2013

From the Province of BC:

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services has confirmed the Province’s AAA credit rating will continue after British Columbians voted to bring back the PST plus GST tax system, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.

Standard & Poor’s noted the Province has the solid revenue and expenditure flexibility necessary to meet its deficit targets and a moderate tax-supported debt burden.

They added that the challenges facing British Columbia are the need to address the loss in revenue, initial administrative costs of transitioning back to a PST plus GST tax system and the likelihood the Province will be required to repay $1.6 billion in HST transitional funding provided by the federal government.

Minister of Finance Kevin Falcon goes on to say —

“I am very pleased Standard & Poor’s has confirmed our AAA credit rating. I believe this is a reflection of the fiscally conservative approach we have taken over the past decade.

“During this time of global economic uncertainty, our credit rating is more important than ever and we will continue to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly while we focus on strengthening our economy and creating jobs.”

Jobs Minister Pat Bell on Global Economic Situation

Government is monitoring the current situation in the United States and Europe very carefully, as recent economic events in those regions are of concern.

While British Columbia is not immune to economic events abroad, B.C. has weathered the recession of 2008/09 better than most other provinces in Canada. This was due in large part to the renewed competitiveness of the province that has existed since early last decade, as well as the large gains made in terms of diversification of our economy – in particular our efforts to identify new trade markets such as China and India.

We expect this renewed competitiveness will keep B.C. in good stead going forward as the United States and other countries deal with their various balance sheet issues.

While global issues can have an impact on our economy and we remain committed to the objective of a balanced budget in 2013/2014. Our credit rating remains at AAA, economic growth has continued during this time and our debt continues to be at a manageable level

B.C. improves Public Environmental Reporting

The launch of a new online database will make it easier for British Columbians to keep track of the people, businesses and industries running afoul of B.C.’s environmental rules.

“The searchable database is part of our mission to improve the way we make information available to the public,” said Environment Minister Terry Lake. “People have a strong interest in environmental stewardship in their communities and an equal interest in knowing who is responsible for environmental offences.”

The free database includes a wide variety of compliance and enforcement actions taken by ministry staff and enforcement officers. It includes orders, administrative sanctions, tickets and court convictions covering hunting and fishing, open burning, mud bogging, dam safety, and pesticide and pollution violations.

Users can search by names, dates or types of infractions dating back to 2006 when the Ministry of Environment began public reporting of violations.

The database augments reporting that takes place through the release of a quarterly Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Summary in conjunction with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

“One of the benefits of making this information even more accessible is that it will serve as an added deterrent and help increase compliance with our regulations,” said Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

The public can also help by reporting environmental violations and human-wildlife conflicts to the 24-hour Conservation Officer Service call centre at 1 877 952-7277.

Learn More:

Use the new search tool and find the most recent quarterly Environmental Compliance and
Enforcement Summary at:

www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/compliance-reporting

Interested in other useful government data? Check out the new DataBC site: www.data.gov.bc.ca

BC Liberal TV - July 22nd edition

BC Premier's July 4th Quarterly Web Report

Open Government in BC

As part of her platform when running for the Leadership of the BC Liberals - BC Premier Christy Clark announced the provincial government's recent moves towards open government in British Columbia.  See the government press release here.  The direct link to the website is here

Update on Tuesday, July `19th at 5:07pm - CBC reports on this initiative as well here

One aspect of this initiative that I was personally disappointed with (see the appropriate section of the "Open Information" website here) was with the lack of information, pertaining to monthly travel expenses.  The information only shows a total of monthly travel expenses for members of the BC Cabinet and the Deputy Ministers.  I'd like to see a breakdown, by date, location and exact purpose of travel, of the travel expenses, but perhaps this is coming in the not-too-distant future

In fact - I'd like to see this kind of information (monthly breakdown of expenses for civic officials - Mayors, Councillors, School District Trustees and Regional District EA Directors) posted at local government websites as I think taxpayers' who pay the elected officials salary and expenses should know how that money is being spent and let taxpayers' decide for themselves if they are getting "value for money"

SBF

Monday Wrap-Up

1) Op-Ed in Sunday's Province regarding Site 'C' proposal

Yesterday, BC Energy Minister Rich Coleman promoted moving forward on Site 'C'.  See that op-ed here.  As this proposal moves into the formal provincial environmental assessment stage, it'll be interesting to see how "hot" the public debate becomes over Site 'C' and its' proposed environmental risks and if Victoria is prepared to take that public heat in order to see Site 'C' become a reality

2) BC Transit and City of WL Transit Buses

As some may have observed of late - the City has received two "newer" transit buses from Kamloops however those buses are displaying a "Special" sign and as such - the general public is not able to tell which route (Community, South Lakeside or Broadway) the bus is serving.  After raising this matter with the Laker Go-Bus Society, who runs the day to day operation of our local transit system, I've received this response:

Hi Steve, we are waiting for the programmers at BCT (BC Transit) to do their thing and then send the codes for the signs.

Question - Why didn't BC Transit ensure that the programming for the bus signs could be done when the buses arrived in Williams Lake and not after when the buses are in service?  Just asking...

3) Provincial Public Accounts for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31st, 2011

Today, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon released the provincial Public Accounts for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2011.  See Victoria's announcement here.  Pertinent details include ending the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year with a $309 million deficit, increased provincial debt of $3.3 billion with total provincial debt standing at $45 billion.  However, provincial economic growth was higher (4.0% in BC) than the country average of 3.3% and the province held its' credit rating with the two leading credit rating agencies.  BC has a Triple-A credit rating with Moody's and AA+ with Standard and Poors'.  BC2013.com has a blog post on this item as well here

4) Next Provincial Election Analysis

Over at BC2013.com - Sacha Peter has an interesting take on the next provincial election which includes a prediction that if the BC NDP run a candidate against sitting Independent Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson, then the BC Liberals could win the seat.  See more details here

5) Update on Local Government Election Bylaw Process

On Saturday - I raised a concern around WL Council not being in a position to pass a general local election bylaw by the August 8th deadline (as per Section 39(1) of the Local Government Act).  However, earlier today - Ministry of Community Services staff clarified for me that the August 8th deadline applies to only those local governments who intend on amending an existing local election bylaw or passing a new local election bylaw.  If no changes are contemplated - then the local government is not required to do anything.  However - I'd still like to see WL Council pass a resolution similar to this to ensure the public is aware that there is a local election bylaw in place to look after the mechanics of the 2011 General Civic Election

That Council confirm its' intention to use Bylaw #2072, 2008 in respect of the 2011 Civic General Election in the City of Williams Lake

BC Liberal TV - Week Review for July 11-15

BC Gov't maintains support for Arts Sector

The BC Arts Council received $16,831,000 from the provincial government to help fund artists and cultural organizations in British Columbia for April 1st 2011 to March 31st, 2012.

Arts groups large and small apply to the BC Arts Council – an independent agency of the Province – to support opportunities for artists, strengthen local economies and enhance quality of life for citizens in communities across British Columbia.

This year’s funding will benefit artists, major cultural organizations and institutions, as well as local community arts councils. British Columbia’s diverse and robust arts scene draws significant support annually from the BC Arts Council for art galleries, theatres, orchestras, museums, festivals and more.

Quotes:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Hon. Ida Chong –

“Arts in British Columbia enrich families and support careers, while infusing creative and economic energy into communities in every region of the province. We will continue to work with artists and cultural organizations through the BC Arts Council, our principal development and funding agency for the arts, to build on British Columbia’s well-deserved international reputation for artistic excellence.”

BC Arts Council chair Stan Hamilton –

“On behalf of the board we thank the minister for this support – the second-highest level in the council’s history. The funding is the key to ensuring the long-term health of B.C.’s creative sector. It means that council can continue to provide a high level of service to our clients. These resources allow council to take the strategic steps to ensure the arts in this province will grow and thrive over the long term.”

Quick Facts:

· BC Art Council’s $16.831 million 2011-12 budget consists of:

o $7.931 million from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
o $2.150 million from the BC150 Cultural Fund (a $150-million interest-generating endowment fund).
o $6.75 million from the 2010 Sport and Arts Legacy.

· Total arts and culture support from the B.C. government exceeds half a billion dollars over the last decade.

· From 2001 until March 31, 2011, the BC Arts Council granted $152 million to artists and cultural organizations in British Columbia.

· B.C.’s creative sector employs more than 78,000 people and contributes $5.2 billion to our provincial economy.

Backgrounder:

By restoring core funding for the BC Arts Council this year to 2008-09 levels, the Province is standing by a government recommendation and a commitment from Premier Christy Clark to make funding of the arts a high priority in British Columbia.

In 2011, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services recommended a return to funding levels in 2008-09 for the arts. This year’s $16,831,000 in BC Arts Council funding is only $20,000 below the Province’s core funding for council in 2008-09.

Recent fiscal years reflect the stability of provincial government funding for the BC Arts Council.

Provincial government support for the BC Arts Council:

2008-09 funding - $16,851,000 (April 1, 2008 to March 31st, 2009)
2009-2010 funding - $11,593,000 plus an additional $7 million in one-time supplemental funding from the previous year. (April 1st, 2009 to March 31st, 2010)
2010-11 funding - $16,831,000 (April 1st, 2010 to March 31st, 2011)
2011-12 funding - $16,831,000 (April 1st, 2011 to March 31st, 2012)

The BC Arts Council awards funding to over 1,000 recipients annually across British Columbia. Council funding supports many of British Columbia’s key cultural organizations and events. Recipients include the Vancouver Art Gallery, Prince George Symphony, Alert Bay U’mista Cultural Centre, Fort St. James Community Arts Council, ArtsBC and Pacific Opera Victoria.

The funding benefits diverse organizations and individual artists working in visual arts, literary arts, theatre, dance, film, music and more.