B.C. delays planned expansion of provincial sales tax

9/19/2026

B.C. sales tax expansion pause gives businesses relief amid trade uncertainty Get the latest on $75M in support funding and what it means for B.C. firms

B.C. Premier David Eby said Friday that the province is delaying a planned expansion of the provincial sales tax to professional services, including areas such as security and accounting. The government had announced the tax change in May as part of its budget plan, but Eby said the pause is intended to give businesses relief while the province deals with uncertainty tied to U.S. tariffs and trade tensions. Eby also announced $75 million in new business support funding. The money will be split among programs for manufacturing, market expansion, rural economic development and the BuyBC initiative. He said the province will also keep U.S. alcohol off B.C. liquor store shelves until the forest sector stabilizes. The announcement comes as speculation grows about a possible fall election in British Columbia.