VICTORIA, B.C. – At a time of unparalleled economic uncertainty, rising costs, and ongoing climate crisis, this budget treads water – offering a $4 billion contingency fund but failing to deliver the creative solutions needed for transformative change.
“What this budget does is buy us time,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and Finance Critic. “Social supports are maintained, housing is prioritized, and there’s some effort to get more money to the front lines in healthcare. But what happens in a year when these short-term fixes run out and the debt has grown another $10.9 billion? There isn’t an action plan here for a 21st-century, innovation-driven economy that builds resilience in our society, protects our environment, and tackles climate change.
“In this moment of deep uncertainty, we need government investment in systemic solutions, not another ICBC rebate cheque. Meanwhile, only $238 million is allocated to fire management when wildfires cost us over $1 billion in 2023/24. It’s also troubling to see a $100 million cut to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture when food insecurity and scarcity escalate.”
Despite the urgency of the climate crisis, Budget 2025 offers no new details or significant funding for previous environmental commitments, like implementing the Old Growth Strategic Review, introducing the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework, or honouring the pledge to protect 30% of our lands and waters by 2030 (30×30). Leaving British Columbians wondering if this government understands what’s at stake for a liveable future.
“Though we are pleased to see funding for some Co-operation and Responsible Governance Accord (CARGA) initiatives – community health centers, psychologists under MSP, supports for renters and for people experiencing homelessness, and heat pumps,” continued Botterell. “We’ve yet to see evidence that this government fully understands the size of the challenge that we face – financially, socially, and environmentally. $10 million for innovation in a $90 billion budget is nowhere near enough; we need a real shift, not more patchwork solutions that leave people and the environment behind.
“We need a paradigm shift to address the scale of the challenges we face. To support this, we expect to see concrete action developed under CARGA this year in areas such as forest management, CleanBC, social supports, and primary care.”
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | jojo.beattie@leg.bc.ca
