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Here’s what people are saying about B.C.’s 2026 budget
The 2026 B.C. budget includes $4 billion in tax hikes, 15,000 public-sector job cuts, and three years of deficits over $10 billion amid efforts to control rising debt, economists say.
- On Feb. 17, 2026, B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey delivered the budget in Victoria, calling it 'prudent' and framing it as balancing deficit control with protecting core services.
- The budget proposes cutting 15,000 public-sector positions over three years and includes about $4 billion in tax increases, freezing new $10-a-day childcare spots and delaying long-term care facility projects.
- Marc Lee highlighted an $80 billion rise in total debt over the next three years and warned the budget projects three straight years of projected deficits over $10 billion.
- Marc Lee and other attendees said the budget 'managed to alienate everybody,' with Carson Binda warning it harms struggling taxpayers and Iglika Ivanova calling it a retreat from public services.
- Historically, the B.C. NDP has cast budgets as 'balanced,' with previous finance ministers framing them as middle-of-the-road, while an economist says the government still has room to manoeuvre despite a $13 billion deficit.
10 Articles
10 Articles
ANALYSIS | Once again, B.C. NDP frames budget as a ‘balance,’ but this time with more red ink
Some B.C. budgets have big spending announcements, tax cuts, or bold new directions that inspire excited press releases from different partisans or stakeholders. The 2026 budget wasn't one of them.
Here's what people are saying about B.C.'s 2026 budget
VICTORIA — Here’s what people are saying about the 2026 British Columbia budget, which delivers a tax-rate increase, a record deficit and public sector cuts. “It’s our time to take a pause on some of the things we want to do, to do the things that we need to do.” — B.C. Finance Minister Brenda […]
Here's what people are saying about B.C.'s 2026 budget – Energeticcity.ca
VICTORIA — Here’s what people are saying about the 2026 British Columbia budget, which delivers a tax-rate increase, a record deficit and public sector cuts. “It’s our time to take a pause on some of the things we want to do, to do the things that we need to do.” — B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey “(This) budget is an assault on seniors, working families and the small businesses that drive our economy.” — B.C. Conservative Party finance criti…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
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