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Editorial: Prosperity fund leaves doubts

Setting money aside to fulfill an LNG election promise that didn't materialize doesn't make sense when there are other needs
Prosperity fund
In reality, the fund was a promise made in the last B.C. election to do with LNG hype that the province feels it must adhere to even if there is no LNG plant in sight.

The BC Liberal budget was remarkably restrained given Premier Christy Clark's penchant for non-stop campaigning.

But one budget adjustment announced Tuesday did stand out as a 2017 election carrot and that is the plan to put $100 million from the 2015/’16 surplus into the BC Prosperity Fund.

Where did those funds come from? The province says they are a benefit from B.C.'s diverse economy and are being put into a savings account for a rainy day.

In reality, the fund was a promise made in the last B.C. election to do with LNG hype that the province feels it must adhere to even if there is no LNG plant in sight.

Some would be even harsher, stating the funds were taken from students because of administrative savings (school districts are required to come with $25 million in administrative savings this year) or other important government initiatives.

Whatever stand you take, the prosperity fund's fulfillment is definitely a sign that an election is on the horizon.