VANCOUVER — Premier David Eby has announced that his government will be delaying the expansion of the provincial sales tax, which would have applied to a number of professional services.
The move comes following backlash from small businesses and industry leaders who expressed concern it would hinder their success amid growing economic uncertainty.
Premier Eby announces his government is delaying the PST expansion amid backlash from small businesses:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) September 18, 2026
“Listening is an essential part of the job — and that includes reconsidering based on information that you receive and changing circumstances.” pic.twitter.com/4gH2Zhq0OH
Eby made the announcement during an address at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver Friday. It was met with a round of applause from local leaders in attendance.
The delay will be in place so long as President Donald Trump's trade war continues to impact BC.
The move was welcomed by a number of organizations, including the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade President @BridgAnderson says delaying the PST expansion is a step in the right direction — but that a full repeal is needed:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) September 18, 2026
“We’ll keep fighting to make sure this tax is cancelled entirely.” pic.twitter.com/XoLZnjAzsT
GVBOT President Bridgitte Anderson told Sitka Media it was a step in the right direction, but that a full repeal was needed.
"We are pleased that the government listened to the broad concerns of businesses," she said. "We submitted over 4,000 letters where there were businesses calling for the cancellation or repeal of the PST expansion."
Anderson made it clear that she will "continue to advocate on behalf of businesses that are broadly saying this expansion will hurt them," remaining steadfast in her belief that the expansion needs to be cancelled altogether.
