Budget 2025 supports growth in B.C.'s economy to create the wealth needed for the services and programs people rely on, while managing finances carefully to strengthen B.C.'s fiscal foundation.

The budget seeks to strengthen the Province's fiscal position and takes the first steps in charting a long-term path to balance so government can respond to changing needs while protecting services and growing B.C.'s economy.

To ensure front-line services are safeguarded and B.C.'s finances are managed responsibly, the Province is reviewing all existing programs to ensure they remain relevant, efficient, that they are helping people with costs, and working to grow the economy. Government is also identifying administrative and operational efficiencies through reduced discretionary spending for travel, consulting contracts, business expenses and a hiring pause, with the exception of roles that are crucial to delivering services and programs. These measures aim to save $300 million over the 2025-26 fiscal year, and $600 million in each of the 2026-27 and 2027-28 fiscal years.

Economic outlook

B.C. is expected to see modest economic growth in the absence of tariffs, with real GDP growth projected at one point eight percent in 2025 and one point nine percent in 2026 as immigration slows and trade uncertainty persists, while inflation trends downwards and housing construction remains resilient. Over the medium term (2027-2029), economic growth is expected to improve, averaging two point one percent annually, supported by steady employment and wage growth, gains in consumer spending and higher exports supported by liquid natural gas production. The threat of U.S. tariffs poses a significant risk to the economic outlook.

Budget outlook

Budget 2025 presents an updated deficit of nine point one billion for 2024-25, $273 million lower than forecast in the Fall 2024 economic and fiscal update. The improvement is due mainly to higher corporate income tax revenues and ICBC net income, partially offset by higher spending, including for emergency response and long-term care funded by statutory authority.

Budget 2025 projects the following declining deficits over the three-year fiscal plan period:

Revenue outlook

Total government revenue is forecast at $84 billion in 2025-26, eighty five point seven billion in 2026-27 and eighty eight point two billion 2027-28. Revenue growth is mainly driven by increasing tax revenues due recent growth in population and economic activity, as well as increasing natural resource revenues. The government's revenue outlook factors in trade-related uncertainty associated with the threat of U.S. tariffs consistent with the economic outlook.

Expense outlook

Expenses over the three-year fiscal plan are forecast at ninety four point nine billion in 2025-26, ninety five point nine billion in 2026-27 and $98 billion 2027-28. Investments will help support the programs and services people rely on, including health care, mental health and addictions, housing, public safety, as well as helping people with costs and building a stronger economy.

Budget 2025 includes contingencies allocations of $4 billion each year of the fiscal plan to help manage pressures for critical services and other costs that are uncertain at the time of building the budget, including costs for a new collective bargaining mandate and emerging costs, such as responding to potential tariff impacts.

Capital investments

Budget 2025 invests fourty five point nine billion in taxpayer-supported capital investments over three years, including fifteen point nine billion to strengthen transit and transportation infrastructure, fifteen point five billion to support capital investments in health care and four point six billion to build, renovate and seismically upgrade schools.

The capital plan supports 180,000 good-paying jobs in communities throughout BC.

Debt affordability

B.C.'s taxpayer-supported debt is projected to be ninety seven point seven billion at the end of 2024-25, approximately nine point one billion more than projected at Budget 2024. This increase is due to a higher opening balance following 2023-24, the increased deficit, and pre-borrowing to meet funding requirements early in 2025-26.

Taxpayer-supported debt is expected to increase by sixty eight point eight billion over the fiscal plan as the Province continues to invest in strengthening services and building more schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, transit and housing.

The taxpayer-supported debt-to-GDP ratio, a key metric used by credit rating agencies, is forecast at twenty six point seven percent in 2025-26, thirty point nine percent in 2026-27 and thirty four point four percent in 2027-28. B.C.'s debt-to-GDP ratio remains one of the lowest in Canada and is currently below that of most provinces, including Ontario and Quebec. B.C.'s debt-servicing costs remain at low levels compared to other jurisdictions.

Successive budgets will focus on flattening debt-to-GDP over time, ensuring B.C. retains one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios compared to the province's peers.