Tuesday, May 19, 2026
ADVT 
National

B.C. growth forecast drops to one per cent for 2023, but deficit projection improves

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Nov, 2023 04:38 PM
  • B.C. growth forecast drops to one per cent for 2023, but deficit projection improves

British Columbia's economy is forecast to grow one per cent in 2023, a drop from the 1.2 per cent predicted earlier by the Ministry of Finance.

The ministry's second quarterly report also forecasts slower economic growth for next year of 0.7 per cent.

But the budget's September deficit forecast of $6.7 billion has improved by $1.1 billion, with this year's deficit now projected at $5.6 billion.

The ministry says in a statement the province's economy is being impacted by slow growth globally and high interest rates in Canada.

It says employment growth has expanded by 1.4 per cent, while B.C.'s population grew by three per cent.

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says people's budgets have been squeezed by global inflation, while high interest rates are making the already high cost of buying or renting a home more expensive, but the government will continue supporting people by helping to ease the pressure of everyday costs. 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Langley Officer, Navarash Dhillon, faces charge from incidents dating back five years

Langley Officer, Navarash Dhillon, faces charge from incidents dating back five years
The B.C. Prosecution Service says the single charge was approved against Const. Navarash Dhillon. It says in a statement that the charge relates to alleged incidents that occurred in Langley between September and December 2018.   

Langley Officer, Navarash Dhillon, faces charge from incidents dating back five years

Translink sees jump in ridership

Translink sees jump in ridership
A report compiled for TransLink -- Metro Vancouver's transportation network -- shows ridership has jumped 20 per cent or more in all areas over the past year. The report says overcrowding is approaching pre-pandemic levels -- especially in regions including Richmond, Surrey, Delta, White Rock and Langley.

Translink sees jump in ridership

Multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 3 claims one life

Multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 3 claims one life
At least one person has been killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 3 east of Cranbrook. The collision happened at around 7 a.m. and it has completely closed that stretch of Highway 3 while an investigation is underway.

Multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 3 claims one life

ICBC has new offer for drivers

ICBC has new offer for drivers
The Insurance Corporation of B-C says more than half of motorists in this province support discounts for those who don't drive much, so it has created a package offering new savings to those with mileage under 10-thousand kilometres per year.  

ICBC has new offer for drivers

B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon

B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says the bulk of the money will be shared equally between the First Nations Fisheries Council and the Pacific Salmon Foundation as the organizations work to conserve and restore the fish.

B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon

Canada launches category-based selection for Express Entry candidates

Canada launches category-based selection for Express Entry candidates
This year, category-based selection invitations will focus on candidates who have a strong French language proficiency, or work experience in fields like healthcare, agriculture and agri-food, STEM professions and trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors transport.

Canada launches category-based selection for Express Entry candidates