Ridge Meadows Chamber Concerned by BC Budget’s Limited Support for Business

The Ridge Meadows Chamber is expressing concern that the 2026 British Columbia Budget does not provide the level of support local businesses need during a period of rising costs and economic uncertainty. While the provincial government has emphasized fiscal restraint and “serious work for serious times,” the measures announced fall short of addressing the pressures facing businesses in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

The budget introduces the first increase to the base income tax rate in more than two decades, raising it by 0.54 percent. It also projects a record deficit of $13.3 billion next fiscal year, and outlines plans to eliminate 15,000 full‑time public sector positions over three years. Several capital projects across the province will be delayed, including care homes, student housing, and a cancer centre.

For local businesses already navigating inflation, labour shortages, and rising operating costs, the Ridge Meadows Chamber is concerned that the budget does not include a clear strategy to strengthen competitiveness or support long‑term economic growth.

“Businesses in our region are resilient and committed to their communities, but they need a provincial partner that recognises the challenges they are facing,” said Kristi Maier, CEO of the Ridge Meadows Chamber. “This budget introduces new costs without offering a roadmap that helps employers invest, grow, and create jobs.”

The RMCC acknowledges the government’s intention to increase natural resource revenues and its decision not to introduce additional taxes on large corporations due to concerns about capital flight. However, the Ridge Meadows Chamber notes that small and medium sized businesses - the backbone of the Ridge Meadows economy - require more direct support to remain competitive.

The Ridge Meadows Chamber is calling on the province to work more closely with business organisations to develop policies that reduce administrative burdens, encourage investment, and create a stable environment for economic development.

“We want to see a stronger focus on the business climate in future budgets,” Maier added. “A thriving local economy depends on policies that support employers, attract investment, and build confidence.”