Kootenay East NDP candidate Norma Blissett says the Liberals’ claim that their budget is balanced is bogus.

“The Liberals are cashing cheques on an $800 million one-time fire sale of assets, before the vast majority of those sales have been made,” she said. “In addition, they have deliberately underestimated the cost of many programs in order to make the budget appear balanced. When the money runs out, just as happened in 2009, we will see cuts to frontline services for some of our most vulnerable citizens including children in care and adults with developmental disabilities.”

Blissett continued,“The budget shows a $545 million profit from BC Hydro, while continuing to hide Hydro’s growing debt in deferral accounts,” Blissett said.

She noted that the Auditor General has objected to this practice, saying it “creates the appearance of profitability where none actually existed.

“The Liberals’ budget simply lacks credibility,” said Blissett. “The NDP will release a fully costed platform as part of the 2013 election campaign. We’re going to say what we’re going to do, and we’re going to show how we’re going to pay for our plans. There won’t be any HST-like surprises.”

Above image from: www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca

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