VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation released new Leger polling showing that 56 per cent of British Columbians want the government to cut the size and cost of the provincial bureaucracy. 

“The poll shows that taxpayers know the provincial bureaucracy has become bloated and wasteful,” said Carson Binda, CTF B.C. Director. “Premier David Eby must reduce the size and cost of the bureaucracy.” 

The core bureaucracy has added more than 8,200 new employees since 2021. The cost of the core bureaucracy has increased by 40 per cent over the same time. 

The Leger poll asked British Columbians what should happen to the size and cost of the bureaucracy. The results of the poll show:

• 56 per cent want to reduce the number of employees and cost of the bureaucracy 
• 19 per cent want to maintain the number of employees and cost of the bureaucracy 
• 4 per cent want to increase the number of employees and cost of the bureaucracy 
• 21 per cent didn’t know 

Among those with an opinion, 71 per cent of British Columbians want to see the number of employees and cost of the bureaucracy reduced. 

“British Columbians can’t afford for Eby to keep a bloated bureaucracy,” Binda said. “Despite the big increase in bureaucracy, British Columbians aren’t receiving better services from the province.” 

The poll also asked British Columbians if the services they receive from the provincial government have gotten better or worse since 2021. Among those with an opinion, the results show: 

• 49 per cent say the quality of services is worse
• 39 per cent say the quality of services is the same 
• 12 per cent say the quality of services is getting better 

“The province’s payroll is ballooning while taxpayers are running out of patience,” Binda said. “British Columbians don’t want to spend more on bureaucrats pushing paper, Eby needs to cut the size and cost of the bureaucracy.”