Construction has its say on next budget

Posted on November 28, 2011 8:16 am

British Columbia construction leaders made recommendations to a special finance committee that will help shape the 2012 provincial budget.

“We talked about the importance of reducing the deficit, but not at the expense of the construction industry,” said Jack Davidson, president of the B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association.

“We support Premier Clark’s job plan, which is targeted at supporting the dirt industries, such as mining, forestry and natural resources. We said the government should follow this plan, but not by sacrificing good construction jobs.”

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services released a report recently on the Budget 2012 consultations. The report summarizes the budget priorities of a wide range of British Columbians, including several construction leaders, who made recommendations for the next provincial budget.

Smaller deficits are projected for the next two fiscal years, with government committed to eliminating the deficit of $458 million in 2013/14.

Budget 2011 projects deficits of $925 million in 2011-12, $440 million in 2012-13, and a surplus of $175 million in 2013-14.

The construction industry sent a strong message to government about skilled labour shortages and the importance of trades training and apprenticeship programs.

via Construction has its say on next budget – Journal of Commerce.