Business

B.C. is delaying its planned PST expansion to professional services amid ongoing uncertainty from the Canada-U.S. trade war.

Budget 2026 projected a deficit of $13.3 billion in February, but the Ministry of Finance said Monday it now expects a deficit of nearly $13.8 billion.

B.C. forestry groups say the sector has reached a breaking point and are urging the province to take immediate action to protect mills, jobs and access to timber.

The B.C. government is providing $2.7 million to help northern businesses and First Nations adapt to changing markets, diversify their economies and protect or create jobs amid uncertainty over U.S. tariffs.

B.C. Premier David Eby said Canada’s latest counter-tariffs on U.S. goods are “a good start,” but he said more non-tariff measures should be considered in response to the escalating trade war.

The federal government announced tariffs on $27.6 billion in U.S. goods and a $7.5-billion support package Tuesday in Ottawa to help Canadian businesses and workers withstand the escalating trade war.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Monday to impose 50-per-cent tariffs on Canadian vehicles and auto parts, then attacked Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford as the Conservative opposition demanded details of failed trade negotiations.

B.C. Premier David Eby said the additional 50-per-cent tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by the United States are "inexplicable" and "indefensible" and reaffirmed his refusal to return American alcohol to government liquor store shelves.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada was under economic attack Saturday after trade negotiations collapsed, new U.S. tariffs took effect and he suggested divisions inside U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration contributed to the breakdown.

Canada suspended trade negotiations with the United States and pledged dollar-for-dollar retaliation as additional 50-per-cent U.S. tariffs took effect early Saturday on about $28 billion in Canadian goods.