B.C. Finance Minister Carole James during the provincial budget announcement Feb. 20.
The provincial finance minister says B.C. gets more value for its money when it works with all levels of government to make the provincial budget work.
Carole James revealed what the province hopes to see when the federal budget is unveiled this afternoon in Ottawa.
James is hopeful the governing Liberals will provide funding for housing and transit, a week after the B.C. budget focussed on affordable housing and childcare.
Spending on major infrastructure and transit projects around Metro Vancouver was also outlined by the NDP last week.
Another hope for James is a move towards a nation-wide drug prescription program.
Analysts think a key element of the budget will be the groundwork for a national pharmacare plan.
That would cost more than $19 billion but would cut drug expenses in the country by more than $4 billion a year.
Gender equality and boosting women in the workforce is anticipated to be another key topic.
Ottawa is expected to expand spending on scientific research, environmental initiatives and a federal computer system aimed at ending no-fly list mismatches that have caused long delays for travellers.
The budget will be announced at 1 p.m. PT.
With files from the Canadian Press.
Andy Neal
