David Eby proposes new tax hikes on high earners in B.C.

British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby announced a proposed tax hike targeting high income earners during a campaign stop in Comox on Vancouver Island, cbc.ca reported on October 4, 2026. The plan introduces a new tax bracket for individuals earning $1 million or more annually, alongside increases to the province’s two highest existing income tax brackets, with the revenue dedicated entirely to funding health care.

Tax Rates and Revenue Targets for High Earners

Under the proposed regime detailed by the B.C. NDP, earners making $1 million or more a year would pay a provincial tax rate of 24.5 per cent on every dollar above that threshold. The two highest existing brackets would also see increases of two percentage points, bringing the rate for incomes between $190,504 and $265,545 up to 18.8 per cent, and the rate for incomes between $265,545 and $1 million up to 22.5 per cent, according to cbc.ca. The vancouversun.com report notes slightly different base bracket figures of $190,405 to $265,545 currently taxed at 16.5 per cent, rising to 18.5 per cent. Eby stated that the changes would apply to less than four per cent of earners and would generate an extra $1 billion a year in revenue.

Political Opposition and Criticisms Over Medical Recruitment

The B.C. Conservative Party criticized the proposed tax increases immediately following the announcement, stating that the plan could harm the recruitment of doctors and specialists across communities, vancouversun.com reported. In a statement reported by cbc.ca, the Conservatives argued that there is no problem the NDP don’t think can be fixed by raising your taxes, noting that their own party has campaigned on a promise never to raise taxes. Meanwhile, B.C. Greens Leader Emily Lowan argued that targeting income earners misses the mark because ultra-wealthy individuals accumulate wealth through stocks and real estate rather than traditional paycheques, according to cbc.ca.

Eby Introduces Affordability Measures Before Provincial Election

The tax announcement precedes the October 24, 2026 provincial election day and follows a series of other affordability and cost-living proposals introduced by Eby’s government during the campaign, globalnews.ca reported. Previous platform items included plans to introduce price guards for groceries, gasoline, and diesel, alongside a temporary 10-cent reduction in the provincial motor fuel tax. Eby also outlined proposals to introduce a new tax on empty condominiums and lift the speculation and vacancy tax during the early phases of the campaign.