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B.C. Makes 25% Interactive Media Tax Credit Permanent to Protect 20,000 Industry Jobs

Effective Sept. 1, the permanent boost is designed to guarantee thousands of B.C. digital media jobs under looming U.S. tariff threats.

B.C. Premier David Eby arrives for an announcement about increasing the tax credit for game developers, at Electronic Arts in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, July 7, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Overview

  • The province projects the credit will cost $141 million in 2025-26, rising to $151.3 million in 2026-27 and $180.3 million by 2027-28.
  • Creative BC says the interactive digital media sector employs about 20,000 people and generates over $1 billion annually for B.C.’s economy.
  • The industry comprises 161 video game studios and 230 immersive tech firms, with nearly half of game companies having ten or fewer employees.
  • Natali Altshuler of EA SPORTS Studios praised the change for enabling greater local investment and Coldblood Inc. CEO Heidy Motta said it helped her studio finish projects when resources were scarce.
  • Premier David Eby and Finance Minister Brenda Bailey framed the move as key to strengthening the province’s knowledge economy and managing potential U.S. countermeasures.