B.C. Election: Where party leaders stand on wage growth, cost of living and 5 other economic issues

Greens: We’ll raise new revenue through modernized resource royalties, updated industrial water rates and the Fair Share Act on extreme wealth. That funds our commitments without adding to B.C.’s deficit. First-year Fair Share revenue will pay down debt, while investing in housing and health care now to save future costs.

CentreBC: A first-year Balanced Budget and Spending Control Act: the deficit falls every year after our first budget and the budget balances by 2034-35, with front-line services protected. Ministers lose part of their pay if the target is missed. An independent budget officer reports to the legislature.

OneBC: OneBC would restore balanced-budget requirements by repealing Section 2.2 of the Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act, which permits deficit forecasts through 2028-29. Every ministry would undergo an expenditure review to eliminate waste, improve efficiency and ensure government plans spending within anticipated revenues rather than relying on deficits.

Question: For several years, Canada has struggled with weak business investment and productivity growth. What will your government do to attract more business investment so people can have more opportunities and earn more?

NDP: Working with Prime Minister Carney, the B.C. NDP secured the largest private-sector investment in Canadian history with LNG Canada Phase 2. We’re working to deliver 41 major projects — more than any other province — representing over $130 billion in business investment that will create more than 50,000 jobs.

Conservatives: Our province has extraordinary potential, yet investment and opportunity are slipping away. We will eliminate PST on business investment, cut red tape and accelerate approvals. Doubling LNG production by 2032 will attract investment and create good-paying jobs. British Columbians deserve an economy that rewards ambition and hard work.

Greens: We’ll launch a green industrial strategy to grow manufacturing, clean technology and value-added resource processing in B.C., creating good-paying union jobs. We’ll help cleantech companies scale here, offer a single front door for business approvals, restore strategic freight and passenger rail corridors, and open government contracts to local companies.

CentreBC: B.C. regulatory requirements cut 25 per cent by 2030. Permitting decisions on 10 new mines by 2030. Routine permits decided within 90 days or deemed approved. The harvest back to 40 million cubic metres. The manufacturing jobs fund doubled to $60 million a year.

OneBC: OneBC would lower corporate taxes, streamline business regulation and establish clear, predictable rules and firm permitting timelines. We would review taxes that discourage investment in technology and equipment, work directly with companies that left B.C. to remove barriers to returning and attract private investment without preferential subsidies.

Question: Many businesses across the province are reporting concerns around employee/customer safety. What policy changes would you prioritize to improve public safety in B.C. communities?

NDP: We will double funding for programs that tackle repeat violent offenders and chronic property crime, helping to reduce street disorder. Like the B.C. extortion task force, we will strike a B.C. retail theft task force to co-ordinate police efforts across the province to target those who target businesses.

Conservatives: No one should feel unsafe walking downtown, going to work or running a business. We will strengthen enforcement, address repeat violent offenders, end open hard drug use and prioritize treatment and recovery. Restoring public safety is a fundamental responsibility of government, and we will take that responsibility seriously.