Dirk Meissner, THE CANADIAN PRESS

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VICTORIA, B.C. - B.C. New Democrats were expected to vote with the Liberal government Thursday on a tax-relief bill aimed at helping the province weather the global economic storm.

But that's where the co-operation ended. With a provincial election in the offing, the parties tried their best to make political hay out of the economic downturn during the unexpected, five-day sitting.

Liberals accused the New Democrats of looking to score cheap political points while ignoring the world economic crisis, while the Opposition said it was opening voter's eyes to an out-of-touch, wasteful government.

"I'm disappointed in the Opposition," said B.C. Forests Minister Pat Bell. "They were focusing on anything but what the public really cares about, which is how do we stabilize the economy."

Bell said the Opposition spent hours criticizing the government during second reading of the economic incentive legislation but then stood up and voted with the government.

"What was that all about?" he said.

Premier Gordon Campbell recalled the legislature unexpectedly last month to pass legislation aimed at offering tax relief and investment protection during tough times.

The government's Economic Incentive and Stabilization Amendment Act included an income tax cut, RRSP protection from seizure by creditors and relief on property assessments and property taxes.

Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon said he thought the short sitting would be about the economy, but the New Democrats focused on old news.

"I thought to myself you could just roll back the tape and it would be a question period from the last session," he said. "The NDP continued to ask the same questions, and virtually had none of them to do with the economy or the economic circumstances that British Columbians are facing."

Opposition House Leader Mike Farnworth said the New Democrats were highlighting issues of concern to British Columbians, government waste and the rise in child poverty.

Around his neck was a huge, gold-coloured medallion that the government gave to a construction worker in Campbell's suburban Vancouver riding - an example of what he called the premier's wasteful "bling program."

"Government waste and its advertising those are issues that are directly related to the economy," he said. "They don't like to admit it, but they are responsible for the finances of this province, and I think the waste that's been going on particularly around government advertising, and the premier's bling program, are of course issues that need to be raised."

Farnworth cited a recent report that said B.C. has the worst child poverty status in Canada, despite good economic times.

"If they weren't prepared to make it a priority during good times, then what can you expect during bad times," he said. "Poor children, poor families at a time when services are needed, this government is not committed to them."

Finance Minister Colin Hansen has said the province is facing a $3 billion revenue shortfall over the next three years, but the government will not turn to deficit spending.