BC finance minister says budget will set province up for 'success' amid Trump tariffs

Prior to tabling the budget, British Columbia finance minister Brenda Bailey claimed her government's economic policy would ensure the province thrives amid uncertainty brought on by Donald Trump.

The American president has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canada on Tuesday.

"I know the question on everyone's mind is how do you build a budget in this situation?" Bailey said on Monday. "You're going to see a budget setting us up to success regardless of what happens with tariffs."

In the weeks since Trump doubled down on his threats to Canada, the BC NDP have revealed that they will be walking back the promised $1,000 grocery rebate.

Bailey went on to note that while the deficit would eventually be dealt with, "now is not the time for deep cuts." Instead, she said, the government would "stand up for people."

BC Conservative finance critic Peter Milobar was not buying it.

"Now, with a worsening economy, with an even harder path to get to a balanced budget, we're supposed to believe that they've actually saw the light and are going to get back to a balanced budget?" he told the CBC. "It simply doesn't hold up to logic whatsoever."

Over the past few years, BC has gone from having surpluses to deficits. Between 2023-24 and 2024-25, the deficit grew from $5.9 billion to $9.4 billion. In December, the province explained that revenue was forecast to be $81.4 billion, hundreds of millions of dollars lower than previously predicted. Expenses, on the other hand, were forecast to be $90.9 billion.

The budget is set to be released publicly at 1:30 p.m. (PST) Tuesday.