Friday, June 12, 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

B.C. fire numbers grow but weather offers respite

B.C. fire numbers grow but weather offers respite
The blazes newly identified as "fires of note" include a nearly nine-square-kilometre fire northwest of Cache Creek in the Kamloops Fire Centre, another that has burned roughly two square kilometres northwest of Kamloops, and a third in the Southeast Fire Centre covering 15 square kilometres between Kaslo and New Denver.

B.C. fire numbers grow but weather offers respite

Sales slide for fourth straight month as rising interest rates put brakes on Fraser Valley real estate market

Sales slide for fourth straight month as rising interest rates put brakes on Fraser Valley real estate market
The weaker demand resulted in prices dropping for the fourth consecutive month, most notably for detached homes which ended the month with a benchmark price of $1,594,400, down 3.5 per cent from last month and by 10.2 per cent since peaking at $1,776,700 in March. Residential combined properties benchmark prices are still up year-over-year by 18.1 per cent.  

Sales slide for fourth straight month as rising interest rates put brakes on Fraser Valley real estate market

Nomination for DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards 2022 are now open

Nomination for DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards 2022 are now open
DARPAN is excited to announce its 12th Annual DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards which is set to take place on October 7, 2022, in Surrey​​. We come together to celebrate the achievements and extraordinary people of the South Asian community.

Nomination for DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards 2022 are now open

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Satpal Lanji

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Satpal Lanji
Surrey RCMP Missing Persons Unit has been following up on all investigative avenues since he was reported missing, but have not been able to locate Satpal, so they are requesting the public’s assistance. Satpal Lanji, who also goes by Rai and Ray is described as a South Asian male, 5’7", 140 lbs., slim build, short grey hair, and brown eyes.

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Satpal Lanji

Shots fired in Coquitlam, bullet holes discovered in the back of the residence

Shots fired in Coquitlam, bullet holes discovered in the back of the residence
On Monday, August 1st, close to 5pm., Coquitlam RCMP received a report of shots fired at a residence in the 900-block of Foster Avenue in Coquitlam. Frontline officers attended the area and discovered bullet holes in the exterior of the residence.   

Shots fired in Coquitlam, bullet holes discovered in the back of the residence

Wildfire near Penticton, B.C., grows larger

Wildfire near Penticton, B.C., grows larger
About 300 properties, including the Apex Mountain resort southwest of Penticton, have been ordered evacuated as the fire showed aggressive and unpredictable growth, destroying an unoccupied cabin.

Wildfire near Penticton, B.C., grows larger