VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation released its annual Finance Minister Report Card that ranks provincial finance ministers on spending, debt and tax relief in the latest provincial budgets. 

B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey received an overall grade of F, the lowest in the country. Bailey received a D- last year.

“Bailey is the worst finance minister in Canada,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Bailey is hiking taxes and piling on debt while wasting taxpayer money.” 

The following grades influenced Bailey’s overall ranking: 

Debt: F

• The government is increasing the debt by more than $26.7 billion compared to last year, reaching $184.4 billion by the end of this year. That works out to more than $32,000 per British Columbian, the second highest per person debt in the country. 

Debt interest costs: D   

• Debt interest will cost B.C. taxpayers more than $6.5 billion this year. That’s a cost of $1,150 per person, the third highest in the country. 

Tax relief: F 

• Budget 2026 hikes income taxes and expands the provincial sales tax. A two-income family of four making $100,000 is paying 16 per cent more in provincial taxes this year. 

“Bailey is increasing government spending by billions while hiking taxes and digging us deeper in debt,” Binda said. “British Columbians want to keep more money in their pockets instead of handing it to Victoria to be wasted on debt interest charges.” 

Overall ranking of finance ministers: 

You can find the full report cards and individual grades HERE.