COURTENAY – A report released this week credits the New Democrat government for a decrease in the cost of living for Comox Valley, says Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard. Comox Valley’s living wage has decreased by 8 per cent since last year, and can largely be attributed to B.C.’s investments in child care. The report also recognizes the New Democrat government’s removal of the MSP, and its effect on making life more affordable for British Columbians.

“For too long, families in the Comox Valley have been struggling with service cuts and growing expenses. We’re making record investments in child care and healthcare to reduce costs for families,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard. “We still have a long way to go, but this report shows that our policies are delivering real results for families in the Comox Valley.”

The report prepared by economist Iglika Ivanova and Lincoln Saugstad states that “the new child care investments rolled out by the BC government significantly improve affordability for modest- and middle-income families with young children.”

Leonard said that the New Democrat government has been focused on making life more affordable for families in BC. Investments in child care, such as the Fee Reduction Initiative and the Affordable Child Care Benefit are already saving some families more than $19,000 per year. The elimination of MSP premiums in January 2020 will be one of the biggest middle-class tax cuts in B.C. history, and will save families up to $1,800 annually.

CCPA Report: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/livingwage2019