Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis says B.C.’s proposed 2025 budget fails to meet the needs of British Columbians while saddling the province with more debt.
McInnis says the proposed budget has drawn criticism from business leaders.
“Industry associations such as the Council of Forest Industries and the BC Chamber of Commerce were not impressed,” said McInnis.
“The B.C. Nurses Union and B.C. Teacher’s Federation were also disappointed by the targets outlined in this budget. These record deficits are the result of this government’s inability to responsibly develop our resource industries and boost private sector job growth.”
More: Finance Minister reacts to budget deficit criticism (Mar 6, 2025)
The budget anticipates a record-breaking $10.9 billion deficit in 2025, a debt which McInnis says will need to be shouldered by taxpayers.
“Our provincial debt will be soaring to a massive $208 billion in just three short years. The reckless spending by this government is going to burden British Columbians for generations to come,” said McInnis.
“Today, each British Columbian is faced with carrying $27,425 worth of provincial debt.”
McInnis feels the Province is using US tariffs as an excuse to justify the massive deficit.
“This government has blamed U.S. Tariffs for the sad financial state we currently find ourselves in,” said McInnis.
“The reality is, this government has been spending more and more for the past 8 years, and we haven’t seen a return on our investment with an increase in services.”
McInnis says the budget not only fails to meet the needs of businesses and residents, it also fails to uphold campaign promises.
“Unfortunately, this government has left rural B.C. out of the equation once again with this budget. There’s very little funding for wildlife conservation initiatives, there isn’t any room in the budget for the election promise of EAs in every K-3 classroom, and no, we won’t be receiving the $1,000 grocery rebate which was an election promise,” said McInnis.
“There’s no money for more treatment and recovery beds, a 20% carbon tax increase is coming on April 1st, and the public sector will be ballooning from 530,000 to 590,000 employees.”
McInnis says he plans to speak out against the budget in the B.C. Legislature.
“I will fight for our communities and make sure that our voices are heard at the table in Victoria,” said McInnis.
“We matter out here, and I will be reminding the government of just that over the coming days.”
More: Budget predicts BC’s deficit to exceed $10 billion by 2026 (Mar 4, 2025)
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