Throne Speech prioritizes housing, safe communities

The tradition of a throne speech is a chance to embrace the pomp and ceremony of our form of government as well a chance to hear about the priorities are for legislators as they get back to work.

The speech, delivered by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin, promised help for British Columbians struggling with higher costs as well as plans to increase housing supply, improve health care and make communities safer.

“I was at the speech and it was good to hear directly from our elected officials about how their priorities align with chamber members,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We’ll keep working to make sure the voice of business is heard, and I’m looking forward to seeing the provincial budget when it comes out on Feb. 28.”

A few of the throne speech highlights included:

• increasing homes and services near transit hubs
• investing in new hospitals, a new medical school, better cancer care, substance treatment and recovery services
• getting violent offenders off the streets
• expanding low-cost clean-energy solutions.