Iain Black pitches 20% provincial income tax cut as core of B.C. Conservative plan | Daily Hive

Iain Black pitches 20% provincial income tax cut as centrepiece of B.C. Conservative plan

Iain Black. (Iain Black/submitted)

Iain Black has unveiled a sweeping policy platform he says is aimed at reshaping British Columbia’s economic and social landscape, positioning it as a response to nearly a decade of squandered governance by the BC NDP-led provincial government.

The plan by one of the frontrunners for the Conservative Party of B.C.’s leadership race outlines a series of major policy shifts, including tax cuts, changes to healthcare delivery, and a tougher approach to public safety — all framed as part of a broader effort to “get BC back on track.”

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At the centre of the proposal is a 20 per cent reduction in provincial income tax rates, which Black argues would spur investment, attract jobs, improvement affordability, and provide residents and families with greater financial freedom.

Conversely, starting in 2026, the BC NDP have increased the income tax for the first $50,363 earned — alongside a new tax credit for lower incomes — and the personal income tax brackets and non-refundable tax credits have been paused at 2026 income levels.

Under the BC NDP, the provincial government’s personal income tax revenues are expected to increase from $19.2 billion in 2025/2026 to $19.49 billion in 2026/2027, $20.7 billion in 2027/2028, and $22 billion in 2028/2029. Premier David Eby’s administration has increased a wide range of taxes due to the provincial government’s growing annual deficits reaching an all-time high of $13.3 billion for the current fiscal year. It is unclear how Black’s cut to provincial income taxes would be funded.

Black’s platform also proposes introducing greater private-sector involvement in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery while maintaining the province’s publicly funded single-payer system. Black believes private capital can build faster and better healthcare facilities.

“British Columbia has everything it needs to lead this country, the resources, the people, and the potential,” said Black.

“What we have lacked is the leadership to unlock it. This plan does that. It represents a bold, conservative agenda built on the conviction that British Columbians, not government, know best how to build their lives and their province.”

The announcement comes as party leadership contenders seek to differentiate themselves ahead of the next provincial election cycle, with affordability, healthcare access, and public safety emerging as dominant issues across the province.

Black’s platform also includes a pledge to impose firm timelines on major project approvals, beginning with the repeal of the BC NDP’s highly controversial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) — a move likely to generate significant debate. The party’s current interim leadership also previously indicated they would abolish DRIPA if given the opportunity.

On public safety, Black’s plan calls for expanded use of involuntary addiction treatment, alongside broader measures aimed at restoring what Black describes as “social balance.” In education and community policy, the proposal emphasizes merit-based systems, increased parental involvement, and what the campaign calls a return to “common sense” governance.

“Every problem addressed by this plan has the same root cause, an NDP government that believes it knows better than you do,” said Black.

“A government that treats the private sector as a threat, the taxpayer as a source of revenue, and British Columbians as subjects to be managed rather than citizens to be served. We will cut taxes and bureaucracy, attract investment and jobs, take back our Main Streets, and trust people to make decisions. That is what conservative government looks like and that is exactly what I will deliver.”

Other platform promises previously announced by Black include reviving the new 10-lane bridge project to replace the George Massey Tunnel and redeveloping the former Riverview Hospital site in Coquitlam into new “world-class” mental health and addictions treatment hub.

Under the BC Liberals, Black was the MLA representing a large area of the Tri-Cities of Metro Vancouver between 2005 and 2011, a period when he also served as the minister of small business, technology and economic development and minister of labour for Premier Gordon Campbell’s administration.

Prior to politics, he had a career in business and tech. Between 2011 and 2019, he was also the president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

The BC Conservatives will select a new party leader on May 30, 2026. The leadership race was triggered by John Rustad’s resignation in December 2025 following a prolonged period of internal division within the party. Trevor Halford is currently serving as the interim party leader.

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