What people have to say about B.C.’s budget as the U.S. applies tariffs

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government released a budget Tuesday with Finance Minister Brenda Bailey saying it defends the province from an unfolding North American trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Here’s what people are saying about the B.C. government’s budget:

“Threats of unjustified tariffs could put tens of thousands of British Columbians out of work, significantly impact our province’s finances and cause economic harm to people and businesses on both sides of the border. While our economy is built to withstand this threat better than most provinces, the impact would still be severe.” — Brenda Bailey, B.C. Finance Minister

“There is nothing in this budget around the tariff response of meaningful programs or supports or even possibilities. When the minister talks about $4 billion in contingencies, including supports for impacts of tariffs, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that last year’s budget projected a $3.88 billion contingency fund in this year’s budget … Hardly an aggressive response to potential impacts of tariffs.” — Peter Milobar, Opposition B.C. Conservative finance critic

“The new finance minister was given a difficult task as there was little fiscal room left to respond to unjustified tariffs … While the government has talked openly about the need to grow the economy and attract private sector investment, we await the transition from words to action.” — Bridgitte Anderson, president of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

“There is no one simple fix for the challenges facing B.C.’s forest sector, but ensuring predictable access to sustainable and economic fibre is critical to maintaining jobs and supporting operations across the province. COFI is concerned that Budget 2025 doesn’t plan to meet the government’s commitment to harvest 45 million cubic metres, as outlined in the government’s election platform and forest minister’s mandate letter.” — Kim Haakstad, president, B.C. Council of Forest Industries

“It’s a very sobering budget. The truth of the matter is that a strong economy drives revenues toward government, with which they pay for essential services. Now they’re investing in essential services today, and all of those are important. However, when we look at the impact of the budget on businesses today, there aren’t enough consequential actions taken that will ensure the success of businesses.” — Fiona Famulak, president of the BC Chamber of Commerce

“While we appreciate the premier’s commitment to fast-tracking approvals for specific projects, this budget missed an opportunity to improve conditions for private-sector investment and hiring in the face of the Trump administration’s threat to B.C.’s industrial base.” — Jairo Yunis, director of policy, Business Council of B.C.

“Budget 2025 fails to invest in B.C.’s watershed workforce, our front line workers safeguarding and restoring B.C.’s freshwater sources. B.C. has seen an 80 per cent drop in funding for watershed work over the past year, putting jobs and communities at risk, and leaving B.C.’s economy vulnerable to the rapidly rising costs of floods, droughts and wildfires.” — Coree Tull, chair, BC Watershed Security Coalition

“Revenue is absolutely critical. We need to develop and grow the economy, and we need to diversify the economy. But look, it’s easy to say those things. What that fundamentally means is we need to adjust to the new trade relationship framework. We need to see this not as a blip, but as a fundamental reconstruction of our trade networks.” — Paul Finch, president, BC General Employees’ Union

“There’s no real new programming. All of the capital projects have been announced before. I would have hoped to have seen some re-evaluation of some of those capital programs to save money or build more with the (same) amount of dollars … It’s these sort of ideological decisions that drive costs.” — Terry Lake, former BC Liberal MLA, CEO of BC Care Providers Association.

“The B.C. government has cut the proportion of provincial funding for our forests, watersheds, fish and wildlife by 75 per cent over the last three decades. If you care about salmon, drink water, pay taxes or pay insurance, recognize that this short-term thinking will have long-term consequences for every single British Columbian.” — Jesse Zeeman, executive director, B.C. Wildlife Federation

“While the budget rightly prioritizes maintaining social spending and capital investment over calls for cuts from some sectors, it misses the mark by underinvesting in key areas like child care, housing and social assistance and disability rates.” — Alex Hemingway, senior economist with BC Policy Solutions

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2025.

The Canadian Press