VICTORIA, B.C.: The message from British Columbians is clear: scrap the NDP PST hike.

After mounting pressure from the B.C. Conservatives and widespread public opposition, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has recommended that the NDP government repeal its 2026 expansion of the PST.

In the 2026 Budget, the NDP expanded the PST to professional services including accounting, bookkeeping, engineering, architecture, security services, and property management. It also slapped the tax on things as basic as landline phone service, cable, knitting yarn and other materials used to make or repair clothes.

“The government needs to listen and scrap this tax hike,” said Peter Milobar, Shadow Minister for Finance. “The PST expansion was the move of a government that is desperate for cash. But you don’t fix B.C.’s finances by making it more expensive to run a business, build a home or even make or repair your own clothes.”

“This tax hike will hit small businesses hard,” said Gavin Dew, Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “It’s a kick in the teeth when they’re down. Businesses are already dealing with a drug-induced public safety crisis, stalled housing projects and a weak economy. The last thing they need is the NDP piling more taxes onto the services they rely on to create and sustain jobs for working families.”

“During budget 2027 consultation, British Columbians told us loud and clear: they want this tax hike gone,” said Donegal Wilson, Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. “The B.C. Conservatives have been pushing for this tax hike to be repealed from the start. Now the committee has agreed. The ball is in the NDP government’s court. It’s time to listen to British Columbians and scrap the tax hike.”

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