Overall, with BC Budget 2020 the government is not making full use of the fiscal room BC has to make crucial social and environmental investments. The budget continues BC’s long-running pattern of underestimating the financial resources available, leaving large sums of money on the table that should be put towards badly needed investments in areas like housing, poverty reduction and action to address the climate emergency.
While there are some bright spots, like the introduction of a new tax bracket of 20.5 per cent on the richest British Columbians (those with incomes over $220,000), which will open more potential fiscal space for much-needed public investments, this budget fails to invest where British Columbians need it most.