The BC Budget announced on Tuesday, March 4, is a major wake up call for all British Columbians.
BC Budget 2025 reflects the government’s effort to protect our critical services in the face of the significant attack we face from the Donald Trump administration with the imposition of tariffs.
But let’s be real. Donald Trump has declared economic war on Canada, and we must mobilize to defend what matters to us and fight back. That means we must ensure the critical services that we all rely on continue to remain strong and vibrant, and at the same time doing everything we can to support our made-in-BC and made-in-Canada businesses, products, and services.
The BC Budget 2025 released today, along with the announcement by Premier David Eby, demonstrate this cohesive response that we all need to face this economic war. We are particularly encouraged to see prioritized funding to health care, public transit, energy infrastructure, and post-secondary education.
We are also encouraged that the BC Government is continuing to make real changes to help keep life in BC affordable. For example, BC announced another $110 ICBC rebate for people and they are freezing basic insurance rates for the sixth year. This is possible because of the dedication and hard work of our members.
But many challenges remain ahead for all of us, and we need to all come together to fight Donald Trump’s war on Canada. Trump’s attack will impact public sector bargaining. Trump’s attack will mean that friends, family members, and neighbours, will lose their jobs in the coming months, and they will struggle.
This isn’t the reality that we wanted, but it is the one we face. We know this isn’t the budget this government wanted to deliver, but it is an appropriate one to deal with an economic war. Now is the time for us to stand together, to be in solidarity with each other and with all Canadians, and to be standing up for ourselves and each other.
As Donald Trump’s war on Canada continues, we will continue to advocate on your behalf to urge governments at all levels to provide those critical supports people need at this time.
I encourage members to support other workers in BC by buying local BC products. Taking action to support our local economy and communities by buying local, will help make a difference. Lastly, during these difficult times, I encourage all members, if you or your family members need support in these challenging times, to make use of your Employee Family Assistance Program.
In solidarity,
Annette Toth
President
