A missed opportunity to strengthen investment in a sector that plays a critical role in B.C.’s food security and economic resilience.

VICTORIA, B.C. – February 18, 2026: British Columbia’s Finance Minister, the Honourable Brenda Bailey, released the province’s 2026 Budget yesterday, outlining a fiscally restrained plan with limited new investments across government. Funding for the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) will rise by just 0.6% in non-insurance spending over the next year, with few agriculture-specific measures announced. The modest increase represents a missed opportunity to strengthen investment in a sector that plays a critical role in B.C.’s food security and economic resilience.

“The budget is disappointing. While we recognize the broader fiscal pressures reflected in this year’s budget, BCAC holds its position that the agriculture sector be prioritized as an essential service and valued as a strategic priority – especially given that food security and affordability is a top concern of British Columbians,” says BC Agriculture Council President, Jennifer Woike.

British Columbia currently ranks last among other provinces in operational funding for its Ministry of Agriculture. However, there is a long history of underfunding the sector in this province, most recently:

• B.C. saw a dramatic 68.4% increase in actual spending on agriculture between 2023-24 and 2024-25 (up from $136 million to $229 million).
• In 2024-25, B.C. overtook both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to take 8th place among the provinces for provincial spending as a portion of sector GDP in that year.
• Even so, based on the five-year rolling average, B.C. is still in last place at 3.4%, compared to 4.6% for New Brunswick and 4.8% for Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia has overtaken New Brunswick in the five-year average).
• Based on B.C.’s 2025-26 budget, spending on the Ministry of Agriculture and Food would need to increase an estimated 25% (from $143 million to $179 million) to contend with New Brunswick for 9th place in 2026-27.

See table below.

2026/27 General Budget Notes (relevant to agriculture):

• MAF Non-Insurance Spending: Expected to remain $113.5 million, consistent with 2025-26.
• Investing in skilled trades: The budget doubles spending on skilled trades over three years to $241 million.
• Incentives for value-added processing: Budget 2026 introduces a new, temporary 15% Manufacturing and Processing Investment Refundable Tax Credit for businesses that invest in buildings, machinery, and equipment that will be used in manufacturing and processing.
• Supporting food donations from farmers: Budget 2026 makes permanent the B.C. farmers’ food donation tax credit, a 25% non-refundable tax credit on the value of agricultural products donated by farmers to registered charities.
• Recapitalizing the FireSmart program: Budget 2026 adds $15 million to FireSmart Community Funding, topping up funds available for the current intake, but still leaving the future of the program uncertain despite ongoing wildfire risks.
• Plant and Animal Health Lab: $496 million for the Plant and Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford to support monitoring, detection and prevention of disease spread.
• Long-term forecasted spending: Overall B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food budget is forecasted to remain frozen at $130 million through 2028–29. Budget 2026 signals a period of fiscal restraint.

“This budget was presented as a plan to prepare British Columbia for ongoing economic uncertainty, with a focus on prioritizing critical services,” says BCAC Executive Director, Danielle Synotte. “However, farmers and ranchers provide a stable and reliable supply of food and agricultural products – also a critical service. This feels like a step in the wrong direction.”

BC Agriculture Council remains committed to working with all levels of government to address the longstanding under-investment that has limited opportunities for B.C. producers to compete nationally and globally.

The government’s full budget announcement can be found here: BC Budget 2026

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For more information:
Cassy James
Communications Manager
T: (604) 854-4454 ext. 195
E: communications@bcac.ca

About BC Agriculture Council: BCAC’s mission is to support and grow a competitive agriculture sector by fostering industry collaboration and shaping effective public policy. This is achieved by delivering a unified voice for the sector to government through member farm associations that in turn represent approximately 96% of provincial farm gate sales.