GVBOT Launches Campaign to Stop PST Expansion
For Immediate Release
VANCOUVER, B.C — The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has launched a new campaign to Stop the Squeeze on British Columbians urging the B.C. government to reverse its plan to implement an expansion of the provincial sales tax on professional services starting Oct. 1, 2026.
The campaign at stopthesqueeze.ca is calling on businesses and individuals to contact their MLAs and urge the provincial government to stop the tax.
“This expanded tax is a direct hit to affordability and project viability, making it harder for communities and businesses to build in B.C.,” said Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. “By piling on new costs that make it harder to build homes, operate businesses, keep workers safe, and attract major project investment, this tax expansion will make it harder for B.C. to meet the moment to foster growth and diversify trade.”
GVBOT launched the campaign to give businesses and residents across the province a direct way to make their voices heard while there is still time to stop this new tax on essential professional services.
Accounting and bookkeeping, security services, non-residential real estate services, architecture, engineering, and geoscience work are all subject to the new tax. These are not optional or discretionary services. For many businesses, accounting is legally required. Security protects employees and customers. Engineering and architecture are required to build housing and infrastructure. Non-residential real estate services support commercial transactions across the province.
“B.C.’s PST is not refundable, and businesses cannot claim it back. This means the expanded tax is a new ‘tax on a tax’”, noted Anderson. “The cost will be baked into all future project budgets, ultimately landing on the consumer,” concluded Anderson.
Background:
Service Category, PST Applied To:
100% of purchase price for:
- Accounting, bookkeeping, and assurance services
- Security and private investigation services
- Non-residential real estate services (trading, rental property management, strata management)
30% of purchase price for:
- Architectural services
- Engineering and geoscience services
By the Numbers:
- B.C. provincial revenues have grown 48 per cent since 2020, a record rate that undermines the government's case for new revenue tools targeting business services.
- B.C. Budget 2026 adds more than $4 billion in new business taxes, of which the PST expansion is a significant component.
- $275,000 Estimated additional upfront cost on an average 300-unit rental building (UDI).
- $3.7M Additional annual cost for one mining operator on a $155M services spend (Mining Association of BC).
- Previous GVBOT analysis shows 5.1M sq ft of industrial investment relocated from B.C. to Calgary over the past 4.5 years leading to the direct loss of 6,300 jobs.
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About the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade:
Since its inception in 1887, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been recognized as Pacific Canada’s leading business association, engaging members to positively impact public policy at all levels of government and to succeed and prosper in the global economy. With a Membership whose employees comprise one third of B.C.’s workforce, we are the largest business association between Victoria and Toronto. We leverage this collective strength, facilitating networking opportunities, and providing professional development through unique programs. In addition, we operate one of the largest events businesses in the country, providing a platform for national and international business and thought leaders to further enlighten B.C.’s business leaders.
Media contact:
Federico Cerani
Communications Manager
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
604-640-5450 | media@boardoftrade.com