Home Government of BC 43rd Parliament of BC BC Throne Speech 2025 promises economic resilience and social supports

BC Throne Speech 2025 promises economic resilience and social supports

Economic threat from the US was highlighted.

Island Social Trends

February 18, 2025

wendy cocchia, lieutenant governor — BC Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia delivered the BC Throne Speech on Feb 18, 2025. [Hansard livestream]

Tuesday February 18, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 2:49 pm]

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends

The BC Throne Speech delivered today led with a comment about “uncertain times”.

The speech that officially started at 2 pm was written by the BC NDP government and delivered by Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia.

lieutenant governor, throne speech — Ceremonial welcome for the Lieutenant Governor in the BC Legislative Assembly on Feb 18, 2025. [Hansard]

Cocchia said at the start of her speech that British Columbians will “thrive no matter what the world throws at us”.

“The threat to our sovereignty remains. BC is thoughtfully and directly making the case against tariffs to our many friends in the United States,” said Cocchia.

People lost to toxic drugs and while on the job, were recognized.

After listing off significant leaders who have passed on, including former Premier John Horgan who led BC through the pandemic, she began itemizing the government’s intentions to usher this province into the challenges of the day and the months and years ahead.

Speech highlights:

The BC government presents their view of the highlights of the Throne Speech:

Standing strong for Canada: with a tough and thoughtful response to any attack on Canada’s economy and sovereignty, as part of a united Team Canada approach.
Creating good jobs in a growing economy: by fast-tracking major private-sector resource projects and building on B.C.’s strengths in technology, life sciences and film.
Diversifying where B.C. sells its products: with new trade missions to strengthen relationships around the world and by breaking down trade barriers within Canada.
Strengthening access to health care: by attaching more people to a family doctor and building new hospitals throughout the province. Addiction will be treated as a health issue.
Helping with costs: by delivering more homes people can afford, locking in child care and car insurance savings, and passing new consumer-protection laws.

Tone of the speech:

The Throne Speech is written by the government and delivered by the LG. It sets the tone for the new parliament.

The speech was methodical about what a government must do for its population and businesses but was repeatedly defiant about protecting the provincial economy against any economic threats from the United States.

Cocchia acknowledged that she is new to the job, being one of “61% of the newbies” in the 43rd Parliament Legislative Assembly.

Social supports:

Workers and the labour market benefit through the availability of child care.

More homes will be built so that retail, construction and service sectors live closer to their jobs. Home for People 300,000 new middle class homes (this compares to 114,000 promised in 2018, though never met). “Rents are finally going down, and more new rentals are being built.” it was stated in the Throne Speech today.

Building schools, roads and public transit will continue as a priority. Infrastructure projects will “get built faster” in order to boost the economy. Skills in the trades will be emphasized with post-secondary institutions (‘future skills’ was an emphasis brought in several years ago).

Safeguards:

Home ownership has become more expensive and rent has been pushed high; the BC government will take action to protect people from those impacts, it was stated in today’s speech. The government will “take new actions” to safeguard and protect people from credit card fraud and unfair practices by cell phone numbers.

Universal public health care is upheld but there is a rising demand for care. “People are older and sicker and many doctors and nurses are retiring,” it was stated in today’s speech. More hospitals are being built and more health care professionals are being trained.

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West coast gateway to Asia:

BC ports are a gateway to Pacific Rim markets and BC is less exposed to dependence on trade with the US than other provinces in Canada. BC intends to build on these advantages.

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They come as a pair:

The Lieutenant Governor seems to be perpetually accompanied by her husband Sergio Cocchia, including in the House today.

During the swearing-in of Ms Cocchia on January 30, Premier Eby made a comment in this introduction of the incoming LG that he’s never seen one without the other.