Quote:
Originally Posted by jhausner
I think the bigger issue is the fact we live in a Province with $237 billion GDP per year and we gripe over $3 billion (1.26%) in infrastructure spending spread over 25 years. That's kind of like someone making $237,000 per year losing sleep over buying a $3,000 house.
|
That is a horribly flawed example bordering on stupidity, unless you are trying to pull the wool over SSPers' eyes.
GDP is not revenue.
Last year the government took in $48B of revenue. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has a budget of under $1B. Of course that is operating expenses and not capital costs.
Furthermore, the province is in debt to the tune of $43B (taxpayer supported) to further increase to $45B in 2019 due to the range of capital projects underway.
Total debt including that of BC Hydro will be close to $72B in 2019.
To use your example more clearly, you make $48k/year, you're in debt $72k, and you're thinking about spending $2-$3k on a depreciating asset of questionable ROI.