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By the numbers as British Columbia releases its 2026 budget

  • Canadian Press Staff

    Canadian Press Staff

  • Canadian Press

  • February 17, 2026

Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey tables her first budget in the legislative assembly at legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VICTORIA -- Here are some of the key figures in British Columbia's 2026 budget, delivered by Finance Minister Brenda Bailey on Tuesday.

5.6 per cent: The new income tax rate for the lowest tax bracket, for people with taxable earnings of up to $50,363.

$76: The increase in income tax for the average taxpayer in B.C.

60 per cent: Proportion of taxpayers who will be paying more as a result of the 2026 budget.

$13.3 billion: The record-high provincial deficit forecast for 2026.

$183 billion: Provincial debt forecast for fiscal 2026.

$235 billion: Provincial debt forecast for fiscal 2028.

15,000: Reduction of public service employees over the next three years.

$1.7 billion: Reduction in capital spending next fiscal year, compared to previous forecast.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2026.