FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 16, 2026, VANCOUVER BC – As the B.C. government prepares Budget 2026, most residents feel the province is on the wrong track. After nearly a decade of the current government, 74 per cent of British Columbians say the province is performing poorly on the cost of living.
Everyday voters are facing a provincial debt of $19,000 per person, essentially spending our children’s future today. Having listened to British Columbians, CentreBC offers a pragmatic, moderate choice for those tired of choosing between an incompetent government and an extremist alternative.
CentreBC is calling for:
Real Relief for Your Daily Life
CentreBC is calling for a budget that moves beyond empty promises to deliver results you can actually feel:
- Lower Grocery Bills: We will scrap the PST on food production and farm equipment to lower the cost of B.C.-grown food.
- True $10-a-Day Childcare: We will treat childcare as essential economic infrastructure to finally make the $10-a-day goal a reality for every family.
- Housing You Can Afford: We must link housing policy to actual affordability outcomes rather than just counting units.
- Healthcare for Families: We will expand home care so seniors can age with dignity and reduce the paperwork for doctors so they can focus on seeing patients.
A Safer Province for Everyone
With a 60 per cent disapproval rating for the government’s handling of crime, British Columbians no longer feel safe in their communities. CentreBC will put people first and politics back on track by replacing slogans with evidence:
- Crush the Extortion Crisis: We will implement an evidence-led 3-step plan to tackle the rising extortion threats facing local businesses.
- Stronger Justice: Our public safety plan is backed by strong justice and treatment systems to ensure those who break the law face consequences while those with addictions get help.
Securing Our Future: Economic Resilience
2026 is a “tipping point year” for our economy. With 45 per cent softwood lumber tariffs and a major review of North American trade (CUSMA) looming, B.C. needs to protect our economic sovereignty.
CentreBC will build a balanced, sustainable economy, championing our existing industries and businesses, small and large, while fostering innovation to secure good jobs while modernizing our education system to prepare our youth for the future.
“British Columbia can’t afford another budget that manages decline while claiming progress,” said CentreBC Leader Karin Kirkpatrick. “We need a Smart Province movement that protects our prosperity in a chaotic world.”
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Karin Kirkpatrick is available for interviews. For more information contact:
Media Contact:
Michael Davis
(604) 704-7526
[email protected]
