How B.C. is impacted by the 2025 federal budget
CBC
Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget includes major implications for B.C. — including more support for the mining and critical minerals sectors, as well as tax writeoffs for "low-carbon liquefied natural gas facilities."
The budget, which was announced on Tuesday, projects a deficit of $78 billion for 2025-26 in a bid to spend more money on “nation-building infrastructure, clean energy, innovation, productivity and less on day-to-day operating spending."
Carney had already announced that two of the five so-called "nation-building" resource projects are in B.C. — LNG Canada Phase 2 near Kitimat and the Red Chris mine expansion in northwest B.C.
Tuesday's budget has been praised by a national mining association for its proposed supports, even while it has drawn flak from the B.C. Green Party for what it says is a reliance on LNG and fossil fuels.
Beyond the implications for larger projects, the budget also affirms federal support for a proposed Filipino cultural centre in Metro Vancouver and other community projects throughout the province.
Here are some of the highlights of the 2025 federal budget in B.C.
Tuesday's budget announcement includes $2 billion over five years, starting next year, to create a critical minerals sovereign fund and invest in critical mineral projects and companies.
Critical minerals like copper and aluminum have been a major priority for both B.C. and Canada recently, as the country looks to secure minerals that are essential for technologies like electric vehicles and clean energy.
The Mining Association of Canada applauded the Liberals' budget in a statement on Tuesday, highlighting that it was expanding a number of tax credits being offered to spur critical mineral production.
B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey told reporters on Tuesday that she was glad to see the budget's continued commitment to critical minerals.
"This is an area of deep importance for British Columbia," she said.
"You've heard our premiers say that British Columbia will become the economic driver of Canada. Much of that has to do with our critical mineral strategy aligned with the federal government."
B.C.'s softwood lumber industry has been hard hit by the ongoing trade war with the United States, given exports have been geared towards the U.S. for decades, and mills have been closing down with a 45 per cent tariff rate in place on lumber.
Tuesday's budget includes a re-announcement of a plan to spend up to $700 million in loan guarantees for forestry companies, the lion's share of which is expected to go to B.C. producers given the size of the provincial softwood lumber industry.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
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As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
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