B.C. budget: Projects put on pause as government ‘re-paces’ capital plan

Despite across-the-board tax increases and thousands of public sector job cuts, B.C.'s budget is still filled with red ink.

Seven long-term care projects that were previously approved will be indefinitely paused as the B.C. government puts forward a budget that includes a plan to “re-pace” capital spending.

The completion date for long-term care projects in Abbotsford, Campbell River, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Delta, Fort St. John, and Squamish is listed as “to be confirmed” in the budget document.

“Government is adjusting the timing of delivery for several approved long-term care projects to incorporate the lessons learned from projects already underway and from its ongoing review of the long-term care infrastructure program,” a backgrounder from the finance ministry says.

Full budget coverage:

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Two other projects have also had their timelines “adjusted,” according to the budget document.

The second phase of redevelopment of Burnaby Hospital, which will expand cancer care at the facility, is listed as having no estimated date of completion. The completion date for expanded student housing at the University of Victoria has been pushed back to 2034.

More broadly, the province is planning to adjust timelines for delivering capital projects.

“B.C. is adjusting the pace of the capital plan to continue to build the schools, hospitals, and transit in a sustainable way in the face of new global pressures,” the budget document says, adding that this will involve “strategic sequencing” of major projects and potentially sending some back to the drawing board to lower costs.

The budget provides for a total of $38 billion in capital spending over three years.

SkyTrain expansions in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, widening Highway 1 and replacing the George Massey Tunnel are among the transportation projects funded.

A pledge to add 23,600 student spaces to the K-12 education system is also included, as are plans to build a new medical school and expand student housing at some post-secondary institutions.

In health care, the coming year will see spending continue on building or expanding a total of 17 hospitals and acute-care facilities across the province including the new St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver and a new hospital in Surrey.

The budget projects $85.5 billion in revenue and $98.8 billion in spending, sending the deficit ballooning to $13.3 billion.