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B.C.'s Eby says he would cut deficit by growing economy, cut wasteful spending

  • The Canadian Press

  • Canadian Press

  • September 28, 2026

In this two photograph panel; B.C. Conservative interim Leader Lorne Doerkson, left, speaks in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, and B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, right, speaks in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, during provincial election campaign stops. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER -- British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby says his government would bring down the multibillion-dollar deficit year-over-year if elected by growing the economy and cutting what he called wasteful spending.

He made the pledge while campaigning in Prince Rupert, B.C., where he announced that government would double the export of critical minerals and expand the local port to make it the second largest harbour in Canada by 2030.

Eby's announcement comes a day after B.C. Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson promised his party would not introduce new taxes or raise existing ones.

The province faces a projected deficit of $13.8 billion and Doerkson says Conservatives would trim that by growing the economy, if they win the snap election on Oct. 24.

But Eby says that math doesn't add up, noting the B.C. Conservatives have said they would "dramatically cut health care and education."

Conservative candidate Tony Luck, who is running for re-election in Fraser-Nicola, said in February 2024 that if education and health care are the two biggest budget items, then they will take "the brunt" of cuts.

This report by was first published Sept. 28, 2026.