What Budget 2026 Means for Women, Families and Our Community

This year’s provincial budget is being described by the government as careful and disciplined. As the deficit grows, the government says it is protecting core services during uncertain economic times. But there are also no major new investments targeted at women and families. 

It is important to understand what this budget does or doesn’t do, especially for women and families who are already feeling stretched by high costs of living, housing shortages and child care gaps. 

The Key Takeaways 

If you’re a parent: 

• Your existing child care support remains 
• But getting a new licensed child care space will still be hard 

If you’re a woman leaving violence: 

• Housing and support systems are not expanding 
• Waitlists and demand pressures will likely continue 

If you’re a single parent struggling with rising costs: 

• There is small tax relief 
• But no major income boost 

If you work in the non-profit or charitable sector: 

• There is no new investment recognizing the growing demand on front-line services 
• Demand will likely continue to outpace funding 

Below is what it means in practical terms: 

Child Care: Stabilized, But Not Growing 

The budget includes $330 million over three years for ChildCareBC. 

What that means: 

• Existing child care operators will continue to receive funding 
• Parents already in $10-a-day spaces will remain supported 
• Subsidies for families will continue 

What it also means: 

• There is a pause on expanding new $10-a-day spaces 
• New enrolment into the operating model is paused 
• Only $25 million in capital funding is allocated, likely for school-based before- and after-school care, not infant and toddler care 

Currently, only about 10% of spaces are funded at $10-a-day. 

For families on waitlists, this means access will not improve in the short term. For women and families who cannot return to work because child care spaces don’t exist, this remains a barrier. 

Housing: No New Funding 

There is no new housing funding in this budget. 

Projects moving forward are ones already approved. Capital spending is being “re-paced,” meaning projects may move more slowly. 

What this means: 

• No new funding streams for affordable housing 
• No new second-stage housing investments for women fleeing violence 
• Shovel-ready projects may face delays 
• Future planning for new BC Housing programs is uncertain 

For women leaving unsafe situations, single mothers and other groups already facing challenges, the housing crisis remains unchanged. 

Gender-Based Violence: No New Investment 

There is no new funding to address gender-based violence. 

That includes: 

• No dedicated funding to implement Dr. Kim Stanton’s report 
• No new expansion of survivor supports 
• No new funding for second-stage housing 

Access to justice funding largely focused on court efficiency, not survivor services. 

The government has stated that implementing Dr. Kim Stanton's recommendations remains a priority, but without new funding attached. 

For front-line organizations, this means increased demand without increased capacity. 

Income and Poverty Reduction 

The budget increases the low-income tax credit by $115. 

This is modest relief, but it doesn’t offer much meaningful change: 

• There is no increase to income assistance rates 
• Disability assistance rates are not adjusted to reflect rising living costs 
• Food insecurity and housing precarity continues 

Skills Training and Jobs 

There is $241 million to double skilled trades training.  

However,  

• There is no dedicated funding for women in trades 
• Without expanding child care spaces, many women cannot take advantage of training programs 

Economic opportunity and care access are connected. One without the other limits impact. 

Ending Thoughts 

In uncertain times, every area is competing for limited resources. But gender equity isn’t a side issue. It’s social infrastructure that supports economic growth.  

When we don’t expand child care, workforce participation drops.  

When we don’t invest in housing,  families can’t build financial stability.  

When we don’t fund gender-based violence prevention, health and justice systems absorb the cost later.  

Families need more than stability, they need progress.