Highlights of British Columbia budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year

VICTORIA – Here are highlights from the B.C. budget tabled Tuesday:

— The government is earmarking $2.1 billion to fund disaster recovery efforts and future response to the threats from wildfires, floods and heat waves.

— The deficit is forecast to be $5.5 billion for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

— Average child-care fees will drop to about $20 per day after the NDP promised $10-a-day child care.

— $22 million will be spent to support survivors and restore funding for 50 sexual assault centres.

— A new Declaration Act Secretariat will ensure legislation is consistent with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and that it is developed in consultation with Indigenous Peoples.

— $27.4 billion will be spent on infrastructure over three years, including on the SkyTrain from Surrey to Langley.

— The number of urgent and primary care centres will be doubled by 2025 as part of $3.2 billion earmarked for the health and mental health-care systems.

— The provincial sales tax will be removed on all electric heat pumps.

— A new clean buildings tax rebate will provide incentives to undertake energy refits of larger rental and commercial buildings.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 22, 2022.