James

The NDP plan projects a surplus at the end of the fiscal year of $180 million—slightly lower
than the $220 million estimated in the un-debated Liberal budget. This allows for an
additional $40 million in priority spending. The surplus and a “forecast allowance” of $400
million will ensure that the NDP plan will be accomplished while the budget for 2005
remains balanced.
If the 2005 projections of revenue and expense prove to be accurate, at the end of the fiscal
year, that “forecast allowance” will not be needed, and the surplus will be $580 million. If, and
only if, the cushion provided by the “forecast allowance” is not needed, the NDP plan would
use half of it--$200 million--for future economic diversification.
Summary of revenues available for reallocation to priority initiatives:
– From reallocation within ministries $186 million
– From immediate allocations of the contingencies budget 100 million
– From lowering the projected surplus 40 million
Total 326 million
Priority Spending Initiatives
Within the framework of a balanced budget, with a projected surplus of $180 million,
with a prudent “forecast allowance of $400 million, and with a "contingencies budget
of $170 million for unanticipated events, the NDP plan proposes priority spending in
the following areas:
Health:
Transfers from the federal government to BC for health care have risen by $609 million this
year. The total budget for health in the province is estimated to rise in 2005/06 by $702
million to $11.392 billion—by far the largest ministry budget. But simply increasing health
funding by 6.6% will not improve access to health services, increase prevention measures, or
assist the most vulnerable in our society; budget increases must be targeted at priority issues.
The NDP plan will not increase total spending by the Ministry of Health. It does, however
require setting clear priorities and ensuring that additional resources are devoted to priority
issues.
Transfers to Health Authorities are projected to grow from $6.683 billion to $7.158 billion in
2005/06: an increase of $475 million. The NDP plan recognizes that there are many aspects
of health care that need more resources and also recognizes that specific needs may vary from
region to region of BC.
However, the Ministry of Health must require Health Authorities to target $304 million for
priority issues to make sure health services improve throughout the province:
– Reducing wait lists for surgery and diagnostic procedures $75 million
The BCMA estimates that increasing budgets by this amount
should lead to a 50% reduction in wait lists in four years.
Increasing efficiency by using public surgery centres rather
than private for-profit clinics should result in reduced costs
per procedure and an even steeper decline in wait lists.
64 BCNDP Platform 2005