Sunday, June 7, 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

Jury weighs in after man shot 9 times by B.C. cops

Jury weighs in after man shot 9 times by B.C. cops
The coroners inquest probed the November 2016 death of Daniel Rintoul, who attacked and stabbed a staff member, tried to steal a gun from a gun case and took a hostage at an east Vancouver Canadian Tire. The 38-year-old, nearly six-foot, 350-pound man was shot nine times after repeatedly stabbing one of the officers who was trying to arrest him.

Jury weighs in after man shot 9 times by B.C. cops

Health fund talks end without deal as feds balk

Health fund talks end without deal as feds balk
British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix, who called it a "disappointing" end to the meetings, had previously said provincial and territorial ministers were united behind a request for federal funding to be increased to 35 per cent, up from 22 per cent.

Health fund talks end without deal as feds balk

Mayor Brenda Locke releases her top priorities during her swearing in ceremony

Mayor Brenda Locke releases her top priorities during her swearing in ceremony
Mayor Locke's vision and commitment to residents is to ensure transparency, restore public engagement, and maintain Surrey RCMP as the police of jurisdiction. All voices will be heard and I look forward to working with all the residents of Surrey.

Mayor Brenda Locke releases her top priorities during her swearing in ceremony

Canada will work with Congress of any stripe: PM

Canada will work with Congress of any stripe: PM
Voters across the U.S. are headed to the polls to decide whether Republicans or Democrats should wield control on Capitol Hill. Trudeau says the close ties between the two countries have always transcended politics, and he doesn't expect that to change, whatever the outcome.

Canada will work with Congress of any stripe: PM

$475 million more for rural internet: Trudeau

$475 million more for rural internet: Trudeau
The money is in addition to the $2.75 billion already in the government's Universal Broadband Fund, which is dedicated to connecting 98 per cent of Canadians to high-speed internet by 2026 and 100 per cent of Canadians by 2030.

$475 million more for rural internet: Trudeau

Water supply on Sunshine Coast remains 'uncertain'

Water supply on Sunshine Coast remains 'uncertain'
Environment Canada data shows the region just north of Vancouver received 56 millimetres of precipitation this month and 68 mm in the last 10 days of October, but saw only a trace of rain between July and mid-October, when it usually records 200 mm or more.

Water supply on Sunshine Coast remains 'uncertain'