Monday, June 8, 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 probe Komagata Maru vandalism

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism
The VPD says it launched an investigation Tuesday after being alerted by a social media post that the glass covering the memorial in Coal Harbour had been shattered. Const. Jason Doucette says officers are looking into any links to what he called a "similar crime" in which glass sections of the Olympic Cauldron less than 200 metres away were smashed on Saturday morning.

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP
A statement posted to social media by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the family of four turned and ran when the bear charged them Monday evening. The service says the bear chased them and attacked one woman, while another woman and a teenage boy were injured trying to help her.  

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide
The homicide team says in a statement that Kia Ebrahimian pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday. Police were called to a Langley house fire on June 13, 2020, and found the bodies of the man's mother Tatiana Bazyar, his brother Befrin Ebrahimian and Francesco Zangrilli.  

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it
The federal government plans to send cheques of up to $650 to qualifying low- and medium-income households to help pay for children's dental needs through the same platform used for Canada Child Benefit payments. That is run through the Canada Revenue Agency, which the experts suggest could be a problem because many low-income families are less likely to file tax returns.

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister
Murray Rankin says fighting crime by arresting more people is "futile," and the government is instead considering a range of options to keep people safe. Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon told the legislature that the government has continued a "catch-and-release" policy where repeat offenders are quickly freed from custody despite being accused of violent crimes.  

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park
A Twitter account for the district's emergency services division had posted on Saturday afternoon saying the fire was "under control and not spreading," but on Sunday the BC Wildfire Service's website lists the blaze as out-of-control. Videos posted online by the district show a helicopter dumping water on the fire.

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park