B.C. Liberals in pre-election funding spree

The B.C. Liberals have made a flurry of funding announcements across the province, as they join the NDP in releasing new ads only eight days before the official election campaign begins.

Premier Christy Clark attended an earthquake drill at Lord Tennyson Elementary in Vancouver on Monday to announce a commitment of $584 million forseismic upgrades.

The investment is part of $1.5 billion already allocated to school infrastructure improvements in the last budget.

ForB.C. Women's Hospital, Health Minister Margaret McDiarmid promised $500,000 towards an expanded breast milk bank program.

In the valley, Finance Minister Mike de Jong committed $1 million for a school milk program.

New ads

The Liberalsalsoreleased an ad featuring former broadcaster Pamela Martin and retired Canuck Dave Babych, which promotes the half hour of airtime the party has bought for this Sunday.

Clark said it was about making sure voters got their message.

"I want them to know what our platform is for British Columbia, not after the electionwhich is what Mr. Dix is promising but before the election," Clark said.

Meanwhile, the NDP has also released an ad, promising a clean campaign.

Carole James, the NDP MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill and a former B.C. NDP leader, said there'smore to come.

"A week tomorrow, they will start to see the pieces of our campaign rolled out. But we have already talked about our priorities," she said.

The writ for the election will officially be dropped next Tuesday.