Budget 2025, Brenda Bailey’s first budget as Finance Minister, focused on job protection, public services, healthcare, education, safety and social services. While it’s by no means a “splashy” budget, it is a conservative deficit budget compounded by the uncertainty of tariffs.
While the message was clear, for the mechanical contracting industry in BC it was somewhat sobering as the status quo budget did not respond to the importance of investment in the skilled trades workforce. It did, however, identify an annual contingency fund of $4 billion, providing an indication that the government may be open to new opportunities over the next three years.
“Trades training, certification and recruitment are a priority for MCABC, our member company owners and leaders. We need a pipeline of qualified skilled trades workers who can perform our province’s very important work,” said Kim Barbero, MCABC CEO.
“Mechanical contractors in BC make all builds work – hospitals, schools, homes and businesses. We touch every person in every community throughout BC. Without an investment in developing and advancing our industry’s skilled trades with improved and modernized training systems and clear and encouraged pathways for high school students, projects will continue to be delayed and exceed anticipated budgets.”
Budget 2025 did reinforce the government’s commitment to mitigating the impact of climate change reducing BC’s reliance on fossil fuels with a two-year, $100-million commitment for additional rebate programming for electric heat pumps for low and moderate income households.
To read the full BC budget summary: 2025 Budget and Fiscal Plan