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set to host 2416 Golden hour endurance race New plaque planned to honour Boer War
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Columbia Valley Rockies general manager Ross Bidinger (left) along with assistant coach Kris Ekelund (right) congratulate Rockies defenceman Davin Burton on his Most Improved award, presented at the Rockies’ annual banquet on March 4th at Copper Point Resort. See page 9 for coverage. PHOTO BY BREANNE MASSEY
MSP rates changes not good enough: Macdonald STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com The provincial government has announced some new breaks on Medical Service Plan (MSP) premiums for certain residents, but NDP Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald says the measures are not enough and that the government should scrap the whole premium system altogether. “MSP payments are a really unfair way of raising money to pay for health care. Basically, it’s a flat tax. It’s the same for a millionaire as for a middle-class family. No other province uses it any more,” he said. The provincial Liberal government recently announced changes to MSP and premium assistance that will take effect in 2017, which aim to help lower-income families, individuals and seniors. According to a government press release, about 335,000 people across
the province will see their premiums premium assistance with net income of reduced, and an additional 45,000 peo- up to $45,000 a year, and pay no preple will no longer pay premiums at all miums if their net income is less than in 2017. $27,000. Macdonald could not confirm Once the new MSP changes take effect how many local seniors or lower-inin 2017, a single senior earning as much come families in Columbia River-Revelas $45,000 may qualify for reduced pre- stoke might benefit from the changes. miums, and a senior couple earning as He is critical not only of the sysmuch as $51,000 tem, but that Basically, it’s a flat tax. It’s may qualify for the changes reduced prethe same for a millionaire proposed will miums. This not take effect as for a middle-class family. No translates into for another 10 a savings of up other province uses it anymore. months. NORM MACDONALD to $480 per year MLA COLUMBIA RIVER-REVELSTOKE for a senior cou“It is fairly limple and $324 per year for a single se- ited in terms of who (the changes) imnior, according to the release. pacts and, in actual fact, most people At the moment, a single senior can will see additional costs. Certainly this qualify for assistance with net income year (2016) that’s all they will see,” he of $33,000 a year or less, and for a single said. “What needs to happen is what senior with income less than $25,000, Alberta did some years ago and simply the premium is waived. Under the new eliminate it (MSP payments) and have rules, a single senior could qualify for it incorporated into income tax, which
is graduated, so that those who make less, pay less.” Macdonald said there is agreement among all parties in all provinces except B.C. that health care costs should be incorporated into income tax, or otherwise paid in a graduated manner, and added that despite the promises of payment reductions in 2017, the provincial government will still collect $100 million more through MSP payments this year than it did last. According to the government press release, a one-time application must be filled out specifically for the premium assistance program. Retroactive assistance may be provided for up to the previous six years. A calculator is also available on the government website to help B.C. residents figure out whether or not they qualify for premium assistance, either now or in 2017. To visit the calculator, see https://extranet.gov. bc.ca/forms/gov/health/msppa.html.
Wolak Donelly Duo LIVE at Christ Church Saturday March 21st at 8 pm
Art from the Heart
What does ART mean to you? at Copper Point Resort · March 19th - 27th Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.
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Celebrating 100 years