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The government did bring in a new school curriculum that is widely lauded and that was developed with help from the BCTF, however, the new secondary curriculum, new assessment methods and new graduation requirements have been delayed to make sure they are implemented properly. Critics say teachers haven’t been trained in the new curriculum or provided with adequate supplies, such as textbooks, to teach it. Earlier this year, the government provided $29 million for school district supplies.

Tracy Sherlock, Postmedia

HORGAN’S $1-BILLION

Photo by DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS

What was said:Leader John Horgan said Monday some NDP campaign promises would be funded by ending a Liberal tax writeoff for B.C.’s “two per cent of the wealthiest,” estimating that would give the government about $1 billion of extra spending money.

Quote: “Christy Clark has left families falling further behind while looking out for herself and her rich donors. Instead of taking real action to support British Columbians today, she chose to continue her billion-dollar giveaway to the top 2%.”

Fact Check

The Liberals did, indeed, reduce taxes from 16.8 per cent to 14.7 per cent for everyone making more than $150,000 a year in 2015. This affected the top two per cent of earners and meant $250 million less annually for provincial coffers.

When the NDP says it would bring an extra $1 billion into government coffers by reinstating this levy, that is the sum that would be collected over its four-year term — not every year in power.

Calling the discontinuation of the levy on high salaries a “giveaway” to the rich is not entirely fair, argues Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He notes the Liberals promised in 2013 this extra tax on high-income earners would only exist for two years to help the government pay off its deficit.

“The NDP paint it as a tax break for the wealthy, and the Liberals said it was a surtax, and disappeared it as promised,” Bateman said.

Lori Culbert, Postmedia