Tough sell for B.C. budget featuring tax hike, record deficit and construction delays
British Columbia’s finance minister begins selling a budget that has drawn critics from all sides with its soaring debt and deficit, public sector cuts and construction delays, including for the long-term care home which was scheduled for near the Fort St. John Hospital.
VICTORIA, B.C. — British Columbia’s finance minister begins selling a budget that has drawn critics from all sides with its soaring debt and deficit, public sector cuts and construction delays for care homes, student housing and a cancer centre.
Brenda Bailey calls the budget “serious work for serious times.”
It raises the base income tax rate by 0.54 per cent — the first increase in 26 years — while the deficit is predicted to soar to a record $13.3 billion next fiscal year.
The province says it will also cut 15,000 full-time public sector jobs over the next three years.
One of the projects being delayed is the long-term care home which was scheduled for near the Fort St. John Hospital.
BC Federation of Labour secretary-treasurer Hermender Singh Kailley is calling for transparency to ensure the cuts won’t affect frontline service delivery.
BC General Employees’ Union president Paul Finch says they wanted to see “strategic investment” in services that keep costs down but instead saw more cuts to the public workforce.
Finch says the province has broken a promise that keeping costs down could be achieved by “rightsizing” the ratio of management to frontline service workers, and it will be challenging to build an economy on a “weakened public foundation.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published February 18th, 2026.
The Canadian Press
Stay connected with local news
Make us your
home page
Authors
Related Articles
Fort St. John family praises life-saving treatment at B.C. Children’s Hospital for baby Bensyn
A Fort St. John family has returned home after an extended stay at B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for baby Bensyn Buck, who received life-saving care. They have told their story as the hospital launches its Choices Lottery to fundraise for healthcare research.
Child Development Centre’s 53rd talent show raises more than $100K
Fort St. John’s Child Development Centre’s 53rd annual talent show raised more than $100K on March 6th, which will go towards its capital campaign program.
Fort St. John council to move forward with referendum on new pool borrowing
The City of Fort St. John council has begun the legislative approval process involved with borrowing for a new facility to replace the North Peace Leisure Pool.
