The federal budget tabled Thursday by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne includes a series of investments aimed at British Columbia, with forestry, critical minerals, ports, energy and disaster recovery among the main areas. The government says the budget is designed to spur business investment as Canadian companies contend with U.S. tariffs.
Incoming B.C. Premier Lorne Doerkson welcomed the investments, pointing to support for energy, ports, mining, forestry and trade. Among the named projects are the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion in the Lower Mainland, the second phase of LNG Canada and an extension of the Red Chris Mine in northwestern B.C.
The forest sector receives $6.5 billion over six years for modernization. Funding begins in 2027–28, a timeline the industry has said is too slow and wants accelerated. The budget also includes a $65 million loan guarantee for a tree farm project led by the Tla’amin Nation, which recently acquired Western Forest Products’ Stillwater operation.
For mining, the federal government has committed $2.3 billion to its Critical Minerals Strategy, including tax incentives. The mining industry association said the Canadian Exploration Expense, a tax deduction for exploration costs, was not expanded, a point of concern for some companies in the sector.
The budget proposes a $50 billion Canadian Earthquake Insurance Facility to cover catastrophic earthquake losses. Southwestern B.C. is identified as an area of significant earthquake risk, and the province also receives $20 million this fiscal year for flood mitigation.
Aerospace and agriculture also feature. Up to $2.5 billion in financing is proposed for production of the De Havilland waterbomber, and $176.9 million over three years will renew support for the wine sector. Okanagan wineries were hit by wildfire damage this summer, which the wine support is meant in part to address.
The budget sets aside $113 million in 2026–27 for recovery in Tumbler Ridge following a mass shooting, with a further $10 million a year for four years for ongoing supports. It also keeps $3 billion previously announced for replacing the George Massey Tunnel, a project the B.C. Conservatives have said they would scrap in favour of a 10-lane bridge. Several projects in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island are supported through the Build Communities Strong Fund.
Reactions have been divided along party lines. B.C. NDP MLA Jennifer Whiteside credited the work of the former NDP government with helping secure federal co-operation. B.C. Green Party leader Emily Lowan described the budget as corporate welfare.
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