Thursday, June 4, 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

Newborn baby among three killed in B.C. road crash

Newborn baby among three killed in B.C. road crash
Clark says a 26-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman and an eight-day-old infant were killed in the passenger vehicle, while a two-year-old child survived and is expected to recover from their injuries. The only person in the pickup was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Newborn baby among three killed in B.C. road crash

President of ICBC takes over at BC Ferries

President of ICBC takes over at BC Ferries
The insurance corporation says in a news release that Nicolas Jimenez has been with them for almost 20 years. Board chair Catherine Holt says Jimenez has made many contributions during his tenure, including the “remarkable transformation” of the public auto insurer.

President of ICBC takes over at BC Ferries

$90M earmarked by B.C. for forest-dependent areas

$90M earmarked by B.C. for forest-dependent areas
The British Columbia government is promising up to $90 million over three years to support new industrial and manufacturing projects in communities hurt by the downturn in the forestry industry. Premier David Eby made the announcement in Prince George, where Canfor Pulp Products said last week it was closing the pulp line at its mill, eliminating 300 jobs by the end of the year.

$90M earmarked by B.C. for forest-dependent areas

Illegal gaming house dismantled in Richmond included over $14K in currency, gambling ledgers, and an automated Mahjong table

Illegal gaming house dismantled in Richmond included over $14K in currency, gambling ledgers, and an automated Mahjong table
On December 1st, 2022, a search warrant was executed on a suspected gaming house inside of a residential home in the 6000 block of Skaha Crescent, Richmond. Investigators also learned that one of the caretakers of the house and one of the card dealers were non-Canadian citizens and subject to deportation.  

Illegal gaming house dismantled in Richmond included over $14K in currency, gambling ledgers, and an automated Mahjong table

Vancouver Police investigate Downtown Eastside homicide

Vancouver Police investigate Downtown Eastside homicide
Officers were called to an SRO hotel near East Hastings and Carrall Street shortly before 7 a.m. today and discovered a man who was deceased. The victim has not been identified.

Vancouver Police investigate Downtown Eastside homicide

Former Uber driver convicted of sexual assault

Former Uber driver convicted of sexual assault
Mohammed Abu Sayed, 69, was given a six-month conditional sentence that includes two months house arrest, followed by 18 months of probation. During that time, he is banned from operating any ride-share vehicle, taxi, limousine or any other mode of transportation for remuneration. 

Former Uber driver convicted of sexual assault