Carolyn Broady, president of the BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) is releasing the following statement in reaction to the unveiling of Budget 2025.
“Today the Government of BC released Budget 2025, a budget built to protect and grow BC’s economy by prioritizing three key areas: health, education and social development. The BCSTA is pleased to see that Budget 2025 provides stable funding for the K-12 public education system; however, the ever-increasing financial pressures on boards of education still exist.
For years now, boards of education have been managing their finite resources to best serve their community. We have advocated with them for increased funding for capital and deferred maintenance investments, recruitment and retention of teachers and support staff and supports for learners with diverse abilities and learners with disabilities. While we fully realize the uncertain economic times we are living in, boards will struggle to manage with the status quo.
We see the hard work and effort that went into creating Budget 2025 while trying to best mitigate the unjustified tariffs recently levied upon Canada by the United States. There is no doubt that these tariffs will have significant effects on BC’s economy. In the face of these unprovoked economic attacks, ongoing political uncertainty, and the threats to Canadian sovereignty; stable investments in students are stable investments in our future with guaranteed returns. This is how we protect our economy and protect our future.
Today’s students are tomorrow’s parents, workers, and leaders; we rely on them to make our communities vibrant and our economy strong. The stability of Budget 2025 means that boards of education across the province can continue to deliver on this future. In this economic reality, that’s what matters to parents, caregivers and families because it means schools will continue to be there for their communities while focusing on the success of every student.
BCSTA’s role is to support boards through centralized advocacy, professional development, and guidance. This support will ensure that their local boards can deliver a strong future for their students through governance excellence and transparent budgetary planning.”
Carolyn Broady
President,
BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA)