BC NDP cancel promised rebate

British Columbians will not be receiving the rebate promised during the election.

The BC NDP blamed Donald Trump, arguing the situation was too unpredictable.

"It's no longer the right time to make a new big expenditure," Finance Minister Brenda Bailey said, noting that the provincial budget is set to be submitted on March 3, and that is had become "impossible to predict" what Trump might do, tariff-wise.

She said that the government would continue "hoping for the best but planning for the worst."

The decision did not come entirely without warning. In January, Eby said the situation with the US could impact his plans.

"What we're needing to do is to be agile, to be able to support British Columbians as these effects materialize," Eby said during a press conference at the time.

"In terms of the rebate," he added, "in terms of any government program, our number one priority right now is protecting BC families from this threat, ensuring that government's in a position to help people, and to make sure that we're delivering on our commitment to British Columbians to protect them and support them."

Were the policy to have been enacted, individuals would receive $500 while families would be given $1,000 to help offset the high cost of living in the province. It was projected to cost around $1.8 billion for the first year, then $1.3 billion annually when it transformed into an income tax cut.

While on the campaign trail, Eby said the rebate was "one of the first things we're gonna do." The move came on the heels of the Conservatives "Rustad Rebate," which would have come into effect later than that proposed by the NDP.

"Rustad Rebate? More like Rustad long wait!" Eby quipped at the time.