VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is sounding the alarm as Premier David Eby announced a $400-million corporate welfare slush fund today.

“Eby is hiking taxes on everyone and giving that money to hand-picked multinational corporations,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Costs are going up for families and small businesses and Eby is making that worse by doubling down on corporate welfare.” 

Eby announced income tax hikes which will cost the average two-income household more than $150 next year, in last week’s provincial budget. The budget also laid out PST hikes on professional services like accountants, security guards and architects. 

The provincial budget also rolls back funding for youth autism services, long-term care facilities and tax deferment programs for seniors. 

The budget is increasing the provincial debt by $30 billion this year. 

“Our finances are deep in the red so we can’t afford for Eby to borrow more money to hand out in corporate welfare,” Binda said. “Every dollar that goes towards corporate handouts is money that should be staying with taxpayers or going towards core services.”  

This latest announcement adds to the list of government corporate welfare programs. Other examples include the Clean B.C. Industry Fund, whose handouts include $17-million to oil company Shell Canada and $7.3 million to French concrete giant Lafarge. 

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