Federal budget recognizes B.C. resource needs, says finance minister

VICTORIA – Finance Minister Mike de Jong says the federal government has recognized British Columbia’s resource-development needs in Tuesday’s budget, targeting, forestry, oil-and-gas, aerospace and marine industries.

De Jong says he’s pleased the budget is balanced and includes incentives to support’s B.C.’s bid to locate an International Maritime Centre for the shipping industry on the West Coast.

De Jong says B.C. will lobby for its fair share of federal infrastructure dollars, especially when it comes to promoting the province as the Asia-Pacific gateway.

Opposition New Democrat finance critic Carole James says the federal budget provides little for British Columbians and shows the province’s reduced clout with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.

She says the budget does not address oil-spill response, gang violence and missing-and-murdered women, issues of great concern to British Columbians.

The budget is expected to be a major topic of debate during the upcoming federal election campaign set for this fall.