Since yesterday’s Budget 2025 was announced, which will guide the BC government’s spending for the next three years, many have been sharing their thoughts on the future of the Province’s funding.
Some of those who have spoken out have been the BC Green Party, the Conservative Party of BC, the mayor of Victoria and numerous industry leaders.
Common concerns among these groups are lack of innovation in investments, lack of supports for people struggling with affordability and lack of community safety investments.
However, the BC Greens and mayor of Victoria did make an effort to applaud certain choices, while the Conservatives offered only critique.
Conservative Party of BC response
The Conservative Party of BC is the official opposition to Premier David Eby’s NDP government, and were the most critical of what was delivered with Budget 2025.
“The Premier and the Minister of Finance could have easily taken the time to deliver a budget with substantial tariff relief,” said Peter Milobar, Conservative MLA and Official Opposition Finance Critic.
The Conservatives call Budget 2025 a “hastily-arranged plan” that they believe will not provide British Columbians the aid they require through the now ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada.
Despite this claim of no tariff relief, the Province says Budget 2025 was largely planned around the threat of tariffs and $4 billion was specifically set aside to cover contingencies brought on by the tariffs.
The Conservatives also criticized the cancelled $1,000 grocery rebate the BC NDPs promised on the campaign trail; however, the Province says that this had to be cancelled due to the precarious financial state BC may face with the now imposed tariffs.
Milobar concluded by noting a lack of planning for the removal of trade barriers between provinces.
BC Green Party response
The BC Greens have signed a supply and confidence agreement with the BC NDP, who only won a majority government by a thin margin last October.
However, regardless of their deal, they do not pull their punches when it comes to being critical of the Province’s polices, or in this case, Budget 2025.
The BC Greens say that in a time of economic uncertainty, rising costs, and ongoing climate crisis, this budget will not do enough to help people.
Specifically, they say the $4 billion contingency budget lacks creative thinking for real change and meaningful impacts.
“What this budget does is buy us time,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and Finance Critic.
“Social supports are maintained, housing is prioritized, and there’s some effort to get more money to the front lines in healthcare. But what happens in a year when these short-term fixes run out and the debt has grown another $10.9 billion,” he asked.
He added that there were not enough innovation-driven ideas for the economy that builds resilience in our society, protects the environment, and tackles climate change.
“In this moment of deep uncertainty, we need government investment in systemic solutions, not another ICBC rebate cheque,” said Botterell.
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The Greens were also critical of the mere $238 million allocated to fire management when wildfires cost the BC government over $1 billion in 2023/24.
Other aspects the BC Greens would have liked to see more investment in were the Old Growth Strategic Review, introducing the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework and honouring the pledge to protect 30% of our lands and waters by 2030 (30×30).
However, the BC Greens did make an effort to applaud some of the funding choices, such as the Province’s plan to invest in more community health centers, psychologists covered under MSP, support for renters and unhoused people as well as heat pumps.
Mayor of Victoria’s response
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto has also released a statement about BC’s Budget 2025 emphasizing the constantly changing realities the province and its municipalities face daily.
“The financial reality in British Columbia, and across Canada, has changed dramatically since January and continues to change each day,” said Alto.
“Monday’s news about American tariffs has shifted the conversation about tariffs from theory to a stark truth. The US government has decided Canada is no longer an ally.”
She says that this new reality is reflected strongly in Budget 2025, but she also wants leaders of all levels of government to double down on their condemnation of the United States government’s actions.
Alto calls Budget 2025 a case of “hoping for the best, planning for the worst and preparing to be surprised.”
Victoria’s mayor made an effort to support and applaud investments in healthcare, infrastructure, jobs, businesses, rental supports, addiction treatment as well as a $325 million commitment over three years to support safer communities.
However, Alto expressed concern over other aspects of Budget 2025.
“I am concerned about the budget’s commitments to address homelessness,” she said.
“While there is increased funding dedicated to HEART and HEARTH agreements, I am not confident that the allocated funding is enough or adequate.”
“I am uneasy with the apparent de-coupling of community safety from wellbeing. We must continue to invest in upstream and wellbeing focused interventions to address our ongoing community safety concerns.”
She says the concerns that she most commonly hears about at council meetings are in regards to the lack of affordable housing, rising cost of living as well as community safety and wellbeing concerns.
“While this provincial budget does deliver on a few key initiatives, I will continue to advocate for more supports for local governments to help us use every tool at our disposal to deliver on the needs of Victorians,” Mayor Alto concluded.
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