Nov 10, 2026
TIABC Responds to Federal Budget 2026
With a provincial election now underway and British Columbians heading to the polls on October 24, 2026, TIABC has developed the 2026 Provincial Election Toolkit to help tourism stakeholders engage with candidates. This practical, non-partisan resource highlights tourism’s economic contribution, key policy priorities, and questions to help ensure candidates understand the provincial decisions that impact tourism businesses, workers and communities.
Opportunities for Tourism Investment & Growth
The federal budget announced on November 5 includes measures that could help BC tourism businesses invest, recruit workers and improve access to destinations across the province. Several commitments align with priorities advanced by the Tourism Industry Association of BC, including accelerated depreciation, workforce development and disaster preparedness.
The proposed Productivity Mega Deduction would allow businesses to deduct eligible investments in the first year, aligning with TIABC’s joint research and advocacy to encourage tourism investment. Proposed changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program could address regional labour needs and improve processing times. Alongside Indigenous workforce investments, those reforms could support efforts to address staffing shortages across BC’s visitor economy.
Commitments to regional air connectivity and transportation could improve access to rural, remote and northern communities. TIABC also welcomes investments in wildfire and flood preparedness, marine conservation and coastal protection, while continuing to seek dedicated tourism business continuity and recovery funding. The association supports the Canada Growth Incentive’s investment objectives but will press for the inclusion of tourism businesses excluded from the proposal. For BC operators, the next test will be how these commitments translate into accessible programs and practical support.