Doerkson backs Carney’s budget, but economist doubts B.C. can use it as a model

VICTORIA — B.C. premier-designate Lorne Doerkson likes this week’s federal budget, but economist Marc Lee says the province will have difficulty following its example. Lee, of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, says B.C. faces greater urgency than Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal government in addressing deficit problems.

Doerkson called Thursday’s federal budget, which focuses on resource revenues, “encouraging and ambitious.” He has also said he will be “very committed” to growth. Lee says the federal and provincial deficit-to-GDP ratios are about the same, but B.C. “can’t continue to run large deficits” year after year.

Doerkson’s incoming B.C. Conservative government has promised to reduce this year’s forecast deficit of nearly $14 billion through economic growth, without introducing new taxes. Lee says Doerkson has less room to cut spending than the federal government because the province is primarily responsible for health care, education and other social services, and British Columbians would notice reductions in those areas.

Lee says he is “more skeptical” than some about stimulating growth through tax deductions and regulatory changes. In his view, politicians have mostly “pushed all the buttons” available to promote growth.

This report by Wolfgang Depner of The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2026.