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

Vancouver police investigating fatal stabbing in city's west end

Vancouver police investigating fatal stabbing in city's west end
Police in Vancouver are investigating a fatal stabbing in a busy neighbourhood Saturday night. They say officers responded to reports that a man had been stabbed near the intersection of Davie and Bute streets in the city's west end just before 10 p.m.

Vancouver police investigating fatal stabbing in city's west end

Shooting outside a South Vancouver banquet hall leaves 28 year old man dead

Shooting outside a South Vancouver banquet hall leaves 28 year old man dead
Police say multiple people called to report the shooting outside a south Vancouver banquet hall near Fraser Street and Southeast Marine Drive at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. They say officers performed CPR on the man until paramedics arrived, but he died from his injuries.

Shooting outside a South Vancouver banquet hall leaves 28 year old man dead

Affordable homes open in Coquitlam

Affordable homes open in Coquitlam
A dozen new affordable and accessible rental homes have opened in Coquitlam. The Housing Ministry says the 12 units are part of a new 25-storey, 189-unit apartment tower.  

Affordable homes open in Coquitlam

B.C. extends reach of property tax aimed at turning empty houses into rental homes

B.C. extends reach of property tax aimed at turning empty houses into rental homes
A statement from the Ministry of Finance says the Speculation and Vacancy Tax now includes the municipalities of North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish. Starting early next year, homeowners in those areas will join owners in 40 other B.C. cities, districts and towns who are required to declare how their property was used in 2023.  

B.C. extends reach of property tax aimed at turning empty houses into rental homes

Florida man pleads not guilty after Canada-U.S. human smuggling tragedy in Manitoba

Florida man pleads not guilty after Canada-U.S. human smuggling tragedy in Manitoba
Shand, from Deltona, Fla., was arrested in January 2022 in a remote area of northern Minnesota, where U.S. Border Patrol officers encountered him with two Indian nationals in a rented passenger van.   

Florida man pleads not guilty after Canada-U.S. human smuggling tragedy in Manitoba

One dead after collision on Highway 17, Highway 17 & Old Yale Road shut down

One dead after collision on Highway 17, Highway 17 & Old Yale Road shut down
Despite the efforts of first responders, one person has succumbed to their injuries and two people have been transported to hospital. Highway 17 and Old Yale Road will be closed in all directions until further notice.  

One dead after collision on Highway 17, Highway 17 & Old Yale Road shut down