Amid economic uncertainty, throne speech accentuates unity, provincial resolve

In her reading of BC’s 43rd speech from the throne, Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia delivered three core messages to British Columbians: we are united; we must continue to work together and; we will not back down from threats to our sovereignty.

Taking a tone reminiscent of wartime urgency that included a reference to BC answering Winston Churchill’s plea for military equipment pre-Second World War, the NDP script for the coming parliament was all about the province hunkering down in the face of impending tariffs from the United States and the resolve—be it real or performative—of its president to have BC and the rest of the country absorbed as its 51st state.

“We’ve come together to support each other and stand up for our country. We are saying with one united voice: We will never be the 51st state. Not now or ever,” Cocchia read, “Instead, we will take our destiny into our own hands—by building on our strengths.”

The province heads into this legislative session under a cloud of a record-setting $9.4 billion deficit.

In the speech to a room filled with a significant number of new MLAs (61% are newbies), Cocchia spoke about the need for greater self-sufficiency. BC has abundant access to critical minerals, wood fibre, hydro, and natural gas—meaning it is less exposed to US market pressures than other provinces, even though, in 2023, 54% of its exports were destined for that country.

Diversification in trade is needed

Perhaps as a warning shot across the bow, the speech’s trade talk shifted away from the US when Cocchia spoke to the province’s intention to expand and strengthen its business relationships with countries in Asia, Europe, and beyond.

“British Columbia,” she said “is very well-positioned as the West Coast gateway to Asia and other major global centres.”

Cocchia alluded to Premier David Eby’s Feb. 8 announcement that the province would expedite 18 major projects that include natural gas and clean energy as well as critical mineral and mining projects worth $20 billion in a bid to reiterate BCs shift toward self-sufficiency.

It’s estimated the projects—12 of which are majority-owned by First Nations—will create more than 8K jobs, mainly in northern and rural communities.

In a recent interview, Eby downplayed expectations for the upcoming legislative session. "There’s not going to be a large amount of legislation," he said.

"There’ll be fewer bills than in the past. Very much the focus is going to be on the budget, the estimates, what’s happening south of the border, and the tariff issue’s impact on BC and the rest of the country."

As a high-level summary of the provincial government’s agenda and priorities for the coming parliamentary session, the L-G’s speech also addressed many, long-standing hot-button issues impacting residents in the CRD, including the fentanyl crisis, housing, healthcare, child-care, and job creation.

Until the speech, the legislature hadn’t sat since May. Eby's office said the government never contemplated a fall session—given that a speaker had been elected. The lack of any recent action on key issues—such as the cost of living, the opioid crisis, and health-care shortages—since the October election has drawn criticism, particularly from Conservative Party Leader John Rustad. Rustad has argued that the NDP is using the economic uncertainty stemming from US policies as a crutch to avoid confronting its own inaction.

“We’ve got a government that has gone on an unbelievable spending spree. These guys are completely incompetent,” Rustad said on the Bigger than Me podcast.

One of the most notable failures to materialize from the NDP’s many campaign promises is the $1K grocery rebate. The rebate was intended to provide some relief to families struggling with the high cost of living. Last week, the government backpedaled and cancelled it, citing the economic impact of potential US tariffs as a pretty darn good reason to be fiscally prudent.

Housing promises fall short for the most vulnerable

In the CRD, one of the fastest-growing regions in BC and a province where the gap between middle- and low-income residents continues to grow, it’s debatable whether the L-G’s promise of a plan to deliver 300K new, middle-class homes would do enough to address the growing chasm between affordable housing and actual access to it.

In September, Eby announced he would help middle-class buyers finance up to 40% of their new home purchase. And while Cocchia’s statement that more homes and more new rentals than ever are being built and that construction “is going strong,” the majority of those units remains inaccessible in a province where households require an annual household income of $200K to comfortably afford to buy an average home.

The province has made some progress in housing supply targets set out in its 2023 Housing Supply Act, though some CRD municipalities have argued its approach has been punitive and heavy-handed.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon has remained steadfast in pushing forward with legislation that has allowed the province to override municipalities like Sooke and Oak Bay, which were not meeting provincially set housing targets.

On Jan. 30, Kahlon announced the appointment of an independent housing adviser to Oak Bay to "make recommendations to support our shared goal of building homes for people” after the district failed to meet its 2024 provincially mandated housing targets.

Sooke’s city council has been warned the province would step in there as well if it did not also realize its provincial housing targets. The council met last night to discuss the matter.

The tariff threat and the new war on drugs

Last month, US President Trump cited the flow of illegal street fentanyl from Canada into the northern states as one of the main justifications for sweeping trade tariffs. This particular issue hits closer to home for Victoria than others.

The streets of Victoria—in particular, the 900 block of Pandora—have been the regional address of the fentanyl crisis for years.

So far, Eby has failed to deliver on a key promise he made to introduce chemical tracers in government-safe supply opioids. The promise was meant to be part of an effort to address concerns about the diversion of these substances into the hands of organized crime, not necessarily in the US, but here at home.

“We are better when we work together and focus on areas of shared concern for both countries, including border security and toxic drugs such as fentanyl,” the throne speech read.

“Too many people in both of our countries have lost loved ones to the toxic drug crisis and just like Americans, our hearts are filled with rage at the predators who move precursor chemicals and lethal drugs into our country,” Cocchia said.

While toxic drug deaths in BC declined by 13% in 2024, the opioid crisis remains front and centre in Victoria, particularly among street-entrenched people and those with complex addictions and extreme mental-health challenges. The Island lost 446 lives due to toxic drugs in 2024, and 157 of those people died in Victoria.

The spring legislative session may see a review of the concept of the involuntary addiction care Eby spoke of eight months ago when he hired addictions expert Dr. Daniel Vigo. Last year, the BC NDP committed to opening involuntary addictions and mental-health care beds in two BC correctional facilities.

The throne speech vaguely alluded to a promise of more funding to secure care for people struggling with brain injuries, mental illness, and severe addiction. The issue, said Cocchia, “should not be used as a pretext for destructive tariffs.”

Soft on crime

Whereas last year’s throne speech included full-throated promises to get violent offenders off the streets, the creation of new laws to crack down on gangs, money laundering, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, this year Cocchia, in her first major role as lieutenant governor, was mum on crime—apart from a reference to putting the squeeze on the bad guys.

“Our government is eager to work with other jurisdictions in going after the  transnational criminal organizations trafficking in death , building on our efforts to stop gangs by taking away their fast cars and fancy homes.”

On the issue of public safety, the NDP faces increasing pressure to act on issues such as street crime. Garry Begg, the solicitor general, and Minister of State for Community Safety Terry Yung have not publicly hinted at any meaningful new public safety programs or reforms.

Another issue related to crime and its prevention is how much money police forces can expect to have at their disposal. Many police budgets in the CRD have steadily increased. In October, the Esquimalt police board increased its provisional budget by $230K to cover the cost of the city’s late-night task force, bringing its request for new funding in 2025 to more than $1.2 million. Sidney announced an increase of 4.3% to its 2025 budget for protective services.

Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, and View Royal will also be on the hook beginning this year, for their share of $4.9 million for the E-Comms 9-1-1 call dispatch services.

No new child-care announcements from the throne

Cocchia said the province had eased the burden of childcare bills, saving parents nearly $8K each year, but she did not say in which communities, how many were benefitting, or how many were still in need. As of last August, the province had not announced any new $10-a-day spaces after March. It is estimated the province is approximately 5K short of the 22K spaces it promised by 2023.

Last year, the province offered $74 million in provincial funding for 600 new childcare spaces. Hulitan Community and Family Services Society and the Aboriginal Headstart program in Langford were one of the recipients of a portion of that funding.

Victoria, sorely in need of before-and after-school childcare programs, was not one of the three beneficiaries of the $2 million and 180 new licensed childcare spaces announced last May. Nor did the government’s speech promise more help was on the way. Many schools in BC offer before- and after-school care, but most sites are operated by third parties who pay the school district to use its space.

By design, a throne speech lacks precision but this script, in the rallying tone of a war-time tradition, was a clear cry for unity and teamwork.

“As proud British Columbians and Canadians, we are called on to meet this moment. The same way we always do: by working together and looking out for each other. Together, we will build a stronger, more secure future. Here in the best province in the greatest country in the world.” Cocchia read.

“The truth North, strong and free.”

Visit this link for a full transcript of the throne speech.