B.C. Premier David Eby says Ottawa must treat provinces fairly as talk of Western Canada's separation from the rest of the country grows

B.C. Premier David Eby is urging the federal government to treat all provinces fairly amid growing talk of Western Canada’s separation. His message is clear: Ottawa’s uneven distribution of funds and programs is fueling regional frustration, and that needs to change.

Speaking to reporters in Victoria on Thursday, Eby said the best way to put out the “awful” rhetoric surrounding Western alienation and separatism is by practicing basic fairness in federal spending. He warned that unless provinces like B.C. receive a more equal share of funding—especially compared to Ontario and Quebec—calls for separation will only grow louder.

“There are special programs for Ontario and Quebec that are not delivered to other provinces,” said Eby. “When that happens, it gives these opportunists the chance to get on Facebook and say, ‘Yeah, let’s separate from the rest of Canada.’ It’s nonsense, but it feeds that fire.”

Why is David Eby accusing Ottawa of treating B.C. unfairly?

David Eby has been vocal for months about what he sees as unfair treatment from the federal government. His main argument is that British Columbia is not getting its fair share of federal programs and funding—especially when compared to Central Canadian provinces.

One major flashpoint was immigration funding. Last year, Eby criticized Ottawa for giving Quebec $750 million to handle temporary resident surges, while B.C.—facing similar challenges—received only $6 million under the same program. Eby argued that this gap placed an unfair burden on the West.

Another example is infrastructure funding. Eby pointed out that while B.C. has been pushing to replace the aging Massey Tunnel on Highway 99—a key commuter route—the province hasn’t received the support it expected. He noted that Ottawa’s Strategic Investment Fund also appears lopsided: Ontario and Quebec reportedly receive twice as much funding per capita compared to B.C.

The federal government has pushed back on some of these complaints. Immigration Minister Marc Miller previously said Eby was “confused” about the Quebec funding, stating it was meant to reimburse provinces based on what they actually requested. Quebec requested $441 million; B.C., just $6 million. Meanwhile, Liberal MP Carla Qualtrough claimed Ottawa did offer substantial funding for the Massey Tunnel project, but B.C. declined the offer.

What’s fueling the rise in Western separatism?

The story of Western alienation is not new. According to Loleen Berdahl, a political science professor at the University of Saskatchewan, it goes back to Canada’s very beginnings. “It’s a bit of a constant in Canadian politics,” she explained.

Berdahl said that Canada’s federal structure has long favored Ontario and Quebec—especially in terms of political influence and economic decision-making. This fuels discontent in provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and B.C., where residents often feel like their concerns are overlooked.

She added that Ottawa does have tools to address this growing discontent. These include reviewing the federal equalization formula and better distributing federal jobs across provinces. Right now, Berdahl says, people in the West feel like the deck is stacked against them.

And with U.S. President Donald Trump promoting aggressive economic policies—and even suggesting that Canada could become the “51st state”—the political climate is even more fragile. Western Canadian separatists may see a window of opportunity, especially if they feel abandoned by Ottawa.

Is Canada really at risk of breaking apart?

While Eby has voiced serious concerns, he made it clear he does not believe Canada is on the verge of breaking apart. In fact, he directly criticized former Reform Party leader Preston Manning for suggesting that a vote for the Mark Carney-led Liberals is a vote for Western separation.

“People like Preston Manning are seeking clicks and playing to a political base that is completely disavowed by the vast majority of Canadians,” Eby said. “It is a tired trope. It is a waste of time, and it is an attack on the unity that we have right now as a country standing up to the Trump administration.”

Eby has also emphasized that British Columbia is willing to work with Ottawa as part of a “Team Canada” approach, especially in the face of rising threats from the U.S. However, he continues to call for more equitable treatment in programs and funding to ensure that provinces like B.C. aren’t left behind.

“We don’t have an auto parts industry here. We have different industries in British Columbia,” Eby explained. “Just making sure that those programs are responsive to the unique needs of each province, and we have equal access to similar levels of funding, is critically important.”

Why this matters for Canada’s future

With a federal election looming and tensions rising between provinces, the message from B.C.’s Premier carries weight. If Ottawa doesn’t act to rebalance federal support, feelings of alienation in the West could deepen. While Eby dismisses the idea of actual separation, the political risks of ignoring these concerns are real.

This is not just a Western issue. It's about keeping Canada united at a time when the country faces external threats and internal divisions. Fairness in federal spending, according to Eby, could be the key to holding things together.