The B.C. government will table a throne speech Tuesday that is expected to touch on housing and affordability.
Read by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, the throne speech opens the third session of the 41st parliament and sets the direction of the government for the coming legislative session.
The throne speech is set against the backdrop of the ongoing dispute between B.C. and Alberta over the proposed expansion of Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline.
Alberta banned B.C. wine imports after B.C. announced it will restrict the pipeline project until an environmental review of the oil-spill risk.
Premier John Horgan said last week he will not retaliate on an issue that has become a distraction to the government’s priorities of protecting the economy and improving affordability for B.C. residents.
Finance Minister Carole James said last week that the NDP’s housing strategy will be released in the budget, which will be tabled on Feb. 20.
After funding for universal childcare was absent from September’s budget, James said the government would spend the fall consulting with families with the goal of announcing funding in February’s budget.
The NDP also campaigned on a promise to give renters a $400 rebate to offset rising rents, but that money was absent from the last budget.
The throne speech will be broadcast live on the Legislative Assembly TV channel and starting at 1:15 p.m. can be viewed online at news.gov.bc.ca/live.
