Wednesday, May 20, 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

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal
To encourage more travellers to use the mid-Island link between Tsawwassen and Duke Point, a number of saver fares will be offered, including one at 39-dollars for a vehicle and driver -- a roughly 50 per cent savings.

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF
The B-C Teachers Federation has completed its first-ever survey of members and says the results show teachers' stress and workloads are climbing. Roughly 40 per cent of teachers say they have less preparation time this year than they did in 2022 and approximately the same number say their physical or mental health is worse than it was last year.

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour
North Vancouver R-C-M-P say they were alerted to a man "causing public alarm" Monday morning on the Mosquito Creek trail under an overpass, and officers had to confront his "aggressive" and threatening behaviour. 

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities
The British Columbia government has released 12 priorities for anti-racism research in its first update since the Anti-Racism Data Act came into effect last June. The province says the focus will be in areas such as racial diversity within the public service, interactions with the justice system and how health care and education differs for various demographic groups.  

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China
Kwan said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service spent an hour with her on Friday laying out the intelligence it possesses that she has been targeted by China since before the 2019 federal election over her advocacy for human rights in Hong Kong and for the Uyghur Muslim minority in China.

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China

15 year old charged for Surrey robberies

15 year old charged for Surrey robberies
R-C-M-P in Surrey have charged a 15-year-old with a handful of street robberies. Police say they responded to three separate robbery reports on April 24th where bear spray was used to help the suspect steal cellphones and headphones.  

15 year old charged for Surrey robberies