National

British Columbia Health Minister Scraps Planned Hike To Medical Premiums

The Canadian Press, 15 Sep, 2016 11:39 AM

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — British Columbia's health minister says planned hikes to medical premiums are now off the table.

The government announced in the February budget that rates for the Medical Services Plan would rise by four per cent next year.

But Health Minister Terry Lake says that has changed because B.C.'s strong economy has generated a robust budget and it's time to spread the wealth.

He says the economy can change very quickly, but everyone should be able to benefit when times are good.

Rates for the MSP will stay at $75 per month for an adult earning more than $30,000 per year, and will go down for people on premium assistance.

Finance Minister Michael de Jong is expected to make the news official when he provides a quarterly budget update on Thursday. (CHNL)

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Government Should Rethink B.C. Post-Secondary Funding: Teachers

VANCOUVER — British Columbia's post-secondary system is in crisis and is failing students by forcing them into careers they may not be suited for, says a group of university and college teachers.

Government Should Rethink B.C. Post-Secondary Funding: Teachers

Researchers Uncover Genetic Effects Of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

The investigation, led by the University of British Columbia, analyzed DNA samples from 110 children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder across the country.

Researchers Uncover Genetic Effects Of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Canadian Resident Trapped In Moscow Says Clerical Error Caused Government To Revoke Status

Julia Yakobi says the Aug. 11 decision has left her stranded in her native country without means of returning to the country she now considers home.

Canadian Resident Trapped In Moscow Says Clerical Error Caused Government To Revoke Status

Trial Begins For Man Accused In Mill Shooting In Nanaimo, B.C.

Michael Lunn and Fred McEachern were both killed when a lone gunman entered the Western Forest Products mill on the morning of April 30, 2014, and started firing his weapon.

Trial Begins For Man Accused In Mill Shooting In Nanaimo, B.C.

Expectations High For Proposed National Housing Strategy, CMHC

OTTAWA — The head of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says the combined cost of all the expectations for a national housing strategy would likely be too much for the federal budget to handle.