Budget reveals 'deceit, economic incompetence': finance critic

B.C.'s finance critic Bruce Ralston refused to accept the global economic downturn as an excuse for the government's $2.8-billion deficit.

"Despite clear warnings from leading economists that their pre-election numbers didn't hold water, the government refused to admit they were going to break the premier's promise until after the election," he said at the legislature in Victoria Tuesday.

He listed broken promises for funding for health, education, the environment, housing and seniors. He criticized the government for the new controversial harmonized sales tax and hikes to Medical Service Plan premiums.

The government's eight-year legacy, Ralston said, is "a province where the potential economic benefits of economic growth were squandered, leaving British Columbians ill-prepared to cope with the inevitable downturn that has come."

Ralston said he would have more to say about the budget Wednesday before moving for the adjournment of debate.