Kamloops (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

BC Budget 2026

‘Kill small business budget’; Kamloops business leaders don’t mince words over potential budget impacts

Feb 18, 2026 | 4:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — Those in Kamloops associated with the business sector are sharing similar concerns about the 2026 budget, pointing to issues around increasing taxes, and changing the implementation of PST on select products and services.

“This is a we are going to kill small business budget,” said Jeremy Heighton, Executive Director of the North Shore Business Improvement Association. 

No beating around the bush for Heighton who called it an egregious tax and spend budget from the province that will hurt small business.

“Once again it’s very clear that the province of B.C. is not listening to small business and that is across the province,” said Heighton. “There are a number of elements within the budget that are significantly concerning, including lower transfer payments from the province to the municipality, which is put increased pressure on the municipality which leads to more taxation.”

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“At a high level the budget was really focused on developing core services and not to say we don’t support core services, at the Chamber we understand how important healthcare and education are to creating that ecosystem that support business,” said Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Acacia Pangilinan. “But there was no recognition that economic growth and small business competitiveness could actually help us get out of this situation.”

With small businesses already facing challenges with increased crime and street disorder, adding PST to security services is another new cost.

“Security services are not a luxury for business anymore,” said Pangilinan. “Crime and theft and shoplifting are realties of many small businesses in Kamloops. And so this is absolutely going to need to be a business decision for the members that we have and businesses in Kamloops. And it’s unfortunate.”

“Putting additional taxes on top of costs, on top of all the other things that businesses have to absorb, will be extremely difficult for many businesses to absorb,” added Heighton. “And I suspect we are going to see a higher attrition rate than normal.”

PST will now be charged on a number of products including clothing and footwear.

While Heighton did applaud the change to repeat property crime offenders, he’s worried more businesses in Kamloops may pack up shop.

“Under $50,000 gets a 0.5 increase in their personal taxation to the province. How are you increasing consumer spending, how are you building vibrancy when you are further inhibiting your citizens from participating in the economy,” questioned Heighton. “It is not a good news budget.”