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VICTORIA — While the New Democrats kept promises to spend more on child care, housing and other social programs this week, they mostly followed the lead of the previous B.C. Liberal government on deficits and debt.

The last NDP government ran operating deficits for most of its decade in government.

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By contrast, the budget and fiscal plan tabled in the legislature Tuesday by Finance Minister Carole James was projected to be balanced and in surplus for each of the next three financial years starting April 1.

The book-balancing act was accomplished with a helping hand from more than $5 billion in tax increases over the three years.

Still, it was an impressive achievement, given the backdrop of $4 billion in projected losses for the Insurance Corp. of B.C. and the NDP determination to increase program spending by $6 billion over three years.

The tentative surpluses were each in the $200-million to $300-million range, modest in comparison to some of the larger surpluses under the B.C. Liberals.