Accomplishments: 1991-2001

The 1990s was a tough decade financially for governments around the world. But the NDP governments of the era delivered smart budgets that put people first, grew the economy, and kept provincial debt low. While other provinces were slashing funding for health care, education and post-secondary education, our governments invested – positioning our province for huge success in the decades that followed.

At the same time, BC led the way in protecting the province’s natural heritage following 16 years of Socred neglect. And Premier Mike Harcourt set the stage for dealing with a skeptical business sector with his three simple rules: Pay your fair share of taxes, don’t mess up the environment, and treat your workers fairly – and we’ll all get along just fine.

A Strong Economy for BC

The lowest unemployment and greatest job growth in Canada during the 90s; 2nd or 3rd lowest income taxes in Canada for ordinary families (including $800 million in tax cuts from 1995 on); and the lowest small biz taxes in Canada. All the while, investing in health care and education while maintaining the second lowest provincial debt per person.

A New Forest Practices Code

Featuring the toughest rules in North America to help ensure sustainable forestry and position BC in international markets.

Better Access to Post-Sec

The participation rate in post-secondary education improved from second worst in Canada in 1991 to second best in 2001. As part of this, 40,000 new post-sec student spaces were added during the 90s, and three new universities created – UNBC, Royal Roads and TechBC (later absorbed into SFU).

Doubling Parks & Protected Areas

British Columbia was the first jurisdiction in North America to reach the UN goal of 12% protected parks and wilderness areas, including the Tatshenshini-Alsek, protecting the Great Bear rainforest.

A New Pay Equity Law

To end wage discrimination against women.

Protecting Workers' Rights

An anti-scab law was passed to protect workers’ rights, reduce the intensity and duration of labour disputes, and restore the balance of collective bargaining

The Nisga'a Agreement

An historic agreement between the Nisga’a, the BC Government and the Government of Canada, it gave the Nisga’a control over their land, including the forestry and fishing resources contained in it. It was the first modern-day treaty in BC.

Help for Low-Income People

By eliminating the provincial income tax for 100,000 low-income people, while also introducing the BC Family Bonus to help low and modest income families.

Big Investments in BC students
By adding 136,000 new spaces, 5,423 classrooms and 4,000 new teachers, BC was the only province that did not reduce education funding during the 90s.
Increased Health Care Funding Every Year
BC was the only province that did not cut health care funding in the 90s; in fact it was increase every year. This included four new cancer clinics, a $1 billion investment in 2001 alone, and the best screening mammography program in Canada.
Affordability for People in BC

By the end of 2001, BC had the third lowest Hydro rates in North America (with no increase since 1993); among the lowest car insurance rates in the province (with no increase after 1996); while also enjoying the second highest average wage in Canada.

Protecting Our Natural Heritage

The list is long here, including: 2.5 billion trees planted; a ban on grizzly bear hunting (overturned by the BC Liberals just a month into their administration);

And Now For the Details

Want to know the specifics of the Harcourt, Clark, Miller and Dosanjh governments? Well, here you go, by topic area.

On Managing the Economy

Topline: Balancing the books and the lowest unemployment in 20 years was just the start.

And here are the details
  • greatest job growth in Canada, 1991-2000 (up 24%)
  • economy grew 3.4% in 2000
  • booming film, tourism and high-tech sectors
  • second or third lowest income taxes in Canada for ordinary families
  • income taxes cut $800 million 1995-2001
  • lowest small business income taxes in Canada
  • best small business growth in Canada 1991-2000 (6.8% a year)
  • second lowest provincial debt per person
  • books balanced, last three budgets
  • second highest average wage in Canada ($17.48 an hour)
  • highest minimum wage in Canada
  • third lowest Hydro rates in North America and no increase since 1993
  • car insurance rates among the lowest in Canada (no increase since 1996)
On Protecting the Environment

Topline: Without question, the best record in North America across the board.

And here are the details
  • first in North America to reach UN goal of 12% protected parks and wilderness
  • created Tatshenshini-Alsek and 345 new protected areas and park additions since 1992
  • worked with communities, First Nations, companies, unions and environmentalists to protect coastal (Great Bear) rain forest
  • 5 billion trees planted in the last ten years
  • moratorium on grizzly bear hunting, Khutzeymateen grizzle bear sanctuary
  • toughest forest practices rules in North America ensure sustainable forestry and access to international markets
  • new law to protect fish-bearing streams
  • urban salmon habitat program to restore salmon runs
  • cut chlorine discharge from pulp mills by 80%
  • Green Economy Initiative promotes innovative environmental technology
  • eco-tourism strategy
  • 2,500 kms of recreational forest trails built
  • 10,000 kms of damaging logging roads removed
On Access to Advanced Education

Topline: From second worst… to second best in Canada. In a decade!

And here are the details
  • tuition fees cut 5% this year, after five-year freeze
  • BC tuition fees now 44% lower than Alberta, 46% lower than Ontario
  • three new universities: Northern BC, Royal Roads and Tech BC
  • 40,000 new post-secondary student spaces since 1992
  • most comprehensive student assistance programs in Canada
  • 5,025 additional post-secondary spaces and 3,150 more apprenticeship spaces this year
  • five community colleges designated as university colleges
  • participation rate in post-secondary education improved from second worst in Canada in 1991 to second best in 2001 (after Quebec)
On Better Health Care for Everyone

Topline: After years of neglect, successive NDP governments increased funding every year.

And here are the details
  • BC was the only province that did not cut health care funding in the 1990s
  • health budget increased almost $1 billion in 2001 to fund new hospital equipment, trand and recruit additional nurses and doctors
  • four new cancer clinics since 1991
  • best screening mammography program in Canada
  • best cancer recovery rate in Canada
  • most comprehensive health coverage of any province (including chiropractors, physical therapists, naturopaths, massage therapists eye exams and podiatry)
  • one of the most extensive Pharmacare programs in Canada
  • a world leader in protecting kids from tobacco
  • guaranteed choice on abortion for BC women
  • innovative new BC HealthGuide Handbook and NurseLine
On a Stronger Start for BC Kids

Topline: Investing in classrooms, child care and poverty reduction.

And here are the details
  • lower class sizes in Grades 1 to 3 to improve reading and writing skills
  • a new school every 19 days
  • 136,000 new spaces and 5,423 classrooms added since 1991
  • only province that did not reduce education fundings in the 1990s
  • 4,000 additional teachers hired since 1991
  • 658 portables removed since 1998
  • school lunch program for kids in need
  • heritage language program in 150 schools offers 26 languages including Chinese, Punjabi and aboriginal languages
  • before and after school care program launched in 2001 to help 19,000 kids
  • lowest child poverty rate in Canada after PEI
  • BC child care is ranked best in Canada (Vancouver Sun, Sep 26, 2000)
On Social Justice

Topline: Greater fairness and respect for all.

And here are the details
  • eliminated provincial income tax for 100,000 low-income British Columbians
  • one of only two provinces that continues to build social housing (6,500 units completed, 275 planned for Woodward’s Building/Downtown Eastside)
  • BC Family Bonus to help low and modest income families
  • strengthened human rights legislation
  • public and private sector pension benefits extended to common-law and same-sex spouses
  • pay equity law to end wage discrimination against women
  • improved occupational health and safety standards
  • anti-scab law protects workers’ rights
  • balanced Labour Code reduced days lost to strikes/lockouts and ensures fair union certification process
  • Nisga’a Treaty
  • commitment to negotiating land claims, not courts and referendums