Survey shows issues such as job creation, slow wage growth less challenging than cost of housing, rising taxes
High prices are the primary concern for British Columbia residents when it comes to staying in their province, according to a report.
Specifically, 36 per cent of British Columbians say housing and affordability are their top issues, as the cost of living continues to soar. A lack of supply, combined with high construction costs, is putting homeownership out of reach, reports the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC).
Meanwhile, 28 per cent say layers of red tape and rising taxes are making it harder to run a business, save for retirement, or get ahead, based on a survey of 3,000 respondents across 100 B.C. communities.
Canadian families are spending more on taxes than basic necessities, according to a previous report from Statistics Canada (StatCan).
B.C.: 'People are struggling'
Both concerns cited by BCBC rank ahead of issues such as low job creation and slow wage growth (23 per cent), as well as public services—including healthcare and transportation. Nearly one in five (18 per cent) say aging infrastructure, long wait times, and thousands of British Columbians without a family doctor are leaving critical needs unmet.
“The number of responses we received was well beyond anything we expected,” said Braden McMillan, BCBC’s senior director of communications and public affairs. “It was heartbreaking to read so many personal and deeply moving stories from people across the province. But it was also a powerful reminder of how much work is needed to get the economy working for British Columbians again. People are struggling, and they need all the help they can get.”
A third of Metro Vancouver’s workforce is struggling to afford basic necessities as they are earning less than what is considered a living wage, according to a previous report.
‘Open for business’ mentality
BCBC released the report as part of its "Stay With B.C." campaign. Launched in December 2024, the campaign was a tongue-in-cheek response to Alberta’s “Alberta is Calling” advertising campaign. BCBC flipped the script and asked British Columbians: If Alberta is calling, what would it take to make you stay?
BCBC also shared the following recommendations for the government to strengthen the province’s economy:
- Restore fiscal stability and tax competitiveness by:
- stabilizing provincial finances
- exempting all capital investment from the provincial sales tax
- reducing the top marginal personal income tax rate so that the combined federal-provincial top marginal personal income tax rate does not exceed 49.9 per cent
- Grow the Economy While Reducing Global Emissions by:
- adopting a global perspective on GHG emissions
- reforming the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS)
- announcing a second round of fast-tracked major projects
- Encouraging an “Open for Business”Mentality by:
- sending a clear signal that B.C. welcomes privatesector investment and job creation,
- reducing interprovincial trade barriers byrecognizing other provinces’ regulatorystandards,
- adopting a conditional regulatory approvalframework
- reforming Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)policies
