B.C. looks to education, family tax in post-Olympic political agenda
By Dirk Meissner (Canadian Press )
Feb 9, 2010

VICTORIA, B.C. — The B.C. government says it will use the province's post-Olympics momentum to drive changes that include offering tax breaks to families with children, reforming education and lobbying Ottawa to amend "Byzantine bureaucratic practices."

Lt.-Gov. Steven Point outlined the B.C. Liberal government's political agenda in a throne speech Tuesday that marked a three-day opening of the legislature.

…. Opposition New Democrat Leader Carole James said the government offered little hope for British Columbians struggling through tough economic times.

"I did expect that the government would at least acknowledge the challenging economic times people are facing in this province," she said. "I saw a government that didn't have any ideas to deal with things post Olympics."

The B.C. legislature will sit until Thursday before adjourning for a three-week Olympic break, returning next month for the March 2 tabling of the budget, forecast to include a deficit of $1.7 billion….

British Columbia also aims to modernize the province's education system by introducing new forms of schooling that include greater choice and diversity for students and administrative approaches that result in more money being spent on students than bureaucracy.

"New emphasis will be placed on parental involvement and on tailoring our education system to each child's individual needs, interests and passions," he said.

The B.C. Teachers' Federation said the throne speech reveals the government remains in denial about what it believes is an education funding crisis across the province.

Federation spokeswoman Susan Lambert said in a statement that a recent report for school district superintendents concluded the system needs an extra $300 million to maintain current levels.

Point said the government will work with local governments to develop neighbourhood learning centres to develop and use education facilities that are managed seven days a week….