VANCOUVER — British Columbia Premier David Eby has announced that the province will continue to reduce the number of non-frontline public sector positions as it grapples with a significant financial crisis and a projected $11.2 billion budget deficit. The move is part of an ongoing effort to rein in administrative spending ahead of the 2026 provincial budget, which is scheduled to be tabled next week.
Premier Eby revealed that approximately 2,000 public service positions have already been eliminated over the past year. These cuts specifically target “back-office” bureaucracy and administrative roles—positions that do not involve direct service delivery to the public. The Premier emphasized that this strategy is necessary to manage the province’s fiscal health while facing a massive budgetary gap.
Despite the reduction in administrative staff, the government has offered assurances that essential services will remain protected. Eby stated that the cuts are designed to ensure that core areas such as healthcare and education are not negatively impacted. To offset the deficit and stimulate growth, the government is looking to increase revenue through new investments, particularly in the mining sector and other industrial developments.
However, the provincial opposition has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s economic management. Conservative MLA Gavin Dew accused the NDP government of failing to handle the province’s finances properly and allowed the debt to spiral. Dew argued that the focus should be on revitalizing the private sector, claiming that current policies are causing a loss of opportunities for businesses and workers alike.
As the 2026 budget approaches, the pressure remains on the Eby administration to prove it can balance fiscal responsibility with the rising demand for public services in a cooling economy.
