Despite flaws, it's good for province, says Taylor
Times Colonist (Victoria)
May 3, 2006
By: Jeff Rud
EXCERPT:

B.C. Finance Minister Carole Taylor proclaimed Tuesday's federal budget as "very positive" despite the absence of the B.C.-driven Kelowna Accord and the scrapping of the former national child care plan...

"This budget seems to suggest a number of first steps that are very important for British Columbia -- first steps on First Nations funding, first steps on looking at creating child care spaces, first steps on pine beetle,'' Taylor said...

Despite the Conservatives scrapping the former Liberal child care plan, which would have seen $633 million come to B.C. over five years, Taylor noted the first two years of the deal are being honoured. The new $1,200-per-year grant per child under six will help parents, she said, and the feds also announced a new $250-million program to help create new childcare spaces across the country.

While Taylor portrayed the federal budget positively, NDP Leader Carole James said the absence of both a full child-care agreement and the Kelowna Accord are troubling for B.C.

"We all heard the premier say that his style of working with the prime minister was going to ensure that we had dollars come to British Columbia,'' James said. "Well, two key areas are completely missing from this federal budget so I think that's a huge concern.''