BC Budget 2026 Consultation Shows Strong Support for Outdoor Recreation Investment
The BC Budget 2026 Consultation Report is out, and it’s good news for anyone who cares about trails, backcountry access, and community recreation. Public feedback to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services sent a clear message: invest in BC’s parks, trails, access roads, and community-led recreation projects.
What the Committee Heard
Through written submissions, public hearings, and surveys, British Columbians from every region said demand for safe, inclusive, and sustainable outdoor experiences is growing, but infrastructure, operations, and approvals have not kept pace.
Key public recommendations included:
Increase multi-year funding for BC Parks and Recreation Sites & Trails BC.
Support partnerships with First Nations for recreation planning, co-management, and project delivery.
Maintain roads and bridges that provide access to recreation areas.
Improve accessibility for all ages and abilities.
Fund community-led projects through grants and investment.
There was also strong support for streamlined approvals for volunteer-led improvements and continued investment in active transportation grants to connect communities to recreation spaces.
Outdoor Recreation and BC’s Fiscal Health
The Committee emphasized the need to stabilize BC’s economy by establishing a fiscal anchor and adopting spending policies aimed at achieving a balanced budget. Outdoor recreation fits directly into that vision.
It is not just part of BC’s identity, it is a pillar of economic growth. Tourism and outdoor recreation attract investment, generate jobs, and make rural communities attractive places to live, work, and play. Snowmobiling is a clear example: snowmobile clubs are among the largest managers of public recreation sites in BC outside of BC Parks, maintaining over 18,000 km of trails, shelters, and other infrastructure for public use.
The report also recognized what the BCSF told the Committee: outdoor recreation in BC relies on volunteer-run, non-profit organizations, but these organizations face increasing financial and administrative pressure due to insufficient funding. Snowmobile clubs are already doing much of the heavy lifting, but their work depends on a foundational layer that only government can truly maintain — the network of resource roads and bridges that enable all outdoor recreation in BC.
Why This Matters for Snowmobilers
These priorities align directly with what the BC Snowmobile Federation (BCSF) has been advocating for years. In the 2024 Budget consultation, we presented two key recommendations that remain just as urgent today:
A new annual investment of $400,000 in off-road vehicle trails, infrastructure, and safety, by matching funds into the existing Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Fund.
At least $2 million in annual funding for road infrastructure to maintain access to recreation sites on public lands and within BC Parks.
Well-maintained resource roads, bridges, and trails are essential to keeping BC’s backcountry open, safe, and sustainable. The consultation report confirms that the public now sees this too.
Our Take
Outdoor recreation is more than a pastime. It is a core part of BC’s economy, culture, and identity, and it deserves stable, long-term investment. Strengthening the base infrastructure that supports it, from resource roads to trails and shelters, is essential for rural resilience, tourism, and environmental stewardship. Snowmobiling delivers proven returns for communities across the province, but it depends on access and infrastructure that only government can secure. The BCSF will continue working with decision-makers to ensure these priorities are recognized, funded, and protected for the future.
