B.C. BUDGET WATCHThe numbers. The consequences.
BRITISH COLUMBIA · 2026–27 FORECAST

A $38 million shortfall.
Every single day.

That’s B.C.’s $13.76 billion forecast deficit, divided by 365. Under David Eby, spending is outpacing revenue—and the cost carries into the future.

What this means for B.C. Based on B.C. Ministry of Finance figures
THE PROVINCE’S ANNUAL BUDGETForecast · 2026–27
Money coming in$86.31B
Money going out$100.07B
The shortfall$13.76 billion

Spending exceeds revenue. The difference is the deficit.

Q1 forecast · includes a $5B contingency reserve

01 / THE SPENDING GAP

Spending raced ahead.
Revenue didn’t keep up.

Why it matters

A gap this large doesn’t disappear on its own. It puts pressure on future taxes, services and borrowing.

What needs to change
See the spending and revenue recordHorgan, Eby & the transition year

The full NDP record, from 2017 onward

02 / THE BILL LEFT BEHIND

Nearly double the debt.
A bigger bill to carry.

Why it matters

Debt helps finance long-lived projects, but it also commits future budgets to repayment and interest. Faster borrowing means less room to respond when the next crisis hits.

Includes the full 2022–23 Horgan/Eby transition year. Eby became premier November 18, 2022.

See the debt record and forecastsActuals, plans & a longer-term illustration
03 / THE COST OF BORROWING

More money for interest.
Less room for everything else.

Why it matters

A dollar committed to interest can’t also pay for today’s health care, classrooms or tax relief.

Debt servicing is the annual interest expense. It is separate from paying back the debt itself.

See the annual interest costsThe same years as the debt record
THE EVIDENCE

Check every number.

Spending. Revenue. Every major category.
2016–17 through the 2026–27 forecast.

Explore the full budget tablesCompare amounts and annual changes
SHOWING OUR WORK

Official figures. Clear assumptions.

This is independent analysis and commentary.
Forecasts are not final results.

Actual Reported resultForecast / plan Government outlookIllustration What-if continuation

Figures are from the B.C. Ministry of Finance’s First Quarterly Report.