The city budget passed its third and final reading on Monday, and is already under attack.
While the BC Government works to eliminate Medical Service Plan payments from individuals, they have shifted the premiums onto corporations and businesses who employ more than 25 people.
Mayor Mike Ruttan says the hike represents a one and a half percent increase to the city budget, or upwards of $300,000
Ruttan said the increase came as a total shock to municipal governments, and he says the Union of BC Municipalities has shown a “spectacular lack of leadership of this issue”.
He said the increase to the 2019 budget is only half of the total, as cities will face a 3% increase on MSP payments by 2020
The mayor filed a notice of motion requesting a full financial report for the next meeting of council.