BC Releases Annual Budget

Calling it a measured plan to protect jobs and the public services people rely on, the provincial government has released the 2025 budget.

It’s also meant to prepare British Columbia’s economy to withstand the unpredictable impacts of US tariffs.

It comes with a record $10.9-billion deficit - $2 billion more than forecast last year.

“With uncertainty on the horizon, it is prudent to protect the essentials and prepare for what comes next by investing in our greatest resource, the people of British Columbia,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance.

“While our economy is built to withstand the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs relatively better than most other provinces, the impact would still be significant. Our budget prepares us to carefully navigate these uncharted waters so we can put people first and support businesses as we build a stronger, more self-sufficient future.”

The province says the budget provides $9.9 billion more in operating funding over three years, including $7.7 billion in new funding for health care, education and social services. It also includes $4 billion in annual contingencies to address unpredictable costs, including a new collective bargaining mandate, pressures on critical services and for emerging needs, such as potential tariff response measures.

Budget 2025 also provides $370 million over three years to support students in the K-12 education system, including hiring additional teachers, special-education teachers, teacher psychologists and counsellors.

There are also billions for school infrastructure.

Capital funding of $15.9 billion over three years will support transit, infrastructure and highway improvements to connect communities throughout the province.

The budget also commits an additional $318 million over three years to BC Builds as part of the Province’s goal of delivering thousands more rental homes for middle-income people.

It also invests $45 million in new funding over three years for the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, nearly doubling the Province’s past annual investments for First Nation led programming.

Of this, $36 million will go toward critical language preservation and revitalization to meet the growing demand for language instruction, as well as support learners and jobs for expert speakers, particularly Elders and First Nations women.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.