What Budget 2026 means for ferry workers

Budget 2026 includes billions in capital spending and new investments in skilled trades training, but no clear commitment to build the next generation of BC Ferries vessels at home.

Since 2017, the NDP has made repeated commitments to rebuild B.C.’s shipbuilding capacity and support domestic ferry construction. Yet the most recent major ferry contract went to a state-owned shipyard in China. At the time. Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth said he was worried about procuring services from “any country that is actively harming Canada’s economy.”  Premier David Eby said the focus should be on building the next round of vessels here. This budget does not move that commitment forward.

There is new funding for skilled trades and a $400 million Strategic Investments account that could support sectors like maritime and transportation. If government is serious about building ferries in Canada, those tools need to be used to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity now. Building ferries in B.C. is about more than politics. It means good union jobs, apprenticeship opportunities and long-term economic security for coastal communities.

Ferry workers are also feeling the pinch. The budget increases the lowest provincial income tax rate and pauses tax bracket indexing in the years ahead, meaning many workers will pay more while costs continue to rise.

We will continue pressing government to match its words with actions.

Read the full budget here.