Wednesday, June 17, 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

One man dead following police-involved shooting

One man dead following police-involved shooting
Vancouver police say they were responding to an alleged assault inside an apartment near Commercial Drive and Fifth Avenue. There was an exchange of gunfire with a man in his 40s and Const. Tania Visintin says the man died.    

One man dead following police-involved shooting

Nearly 1,000 troops denied vaccine exemptions

Nearly 1,000 troops denied vaccine exemptions
The Canadian military says nearly 1,000 members have been denied exemptions from the military's COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Vice-chief of the defence staff Lt.-Gen. Frances Allen says more than 1,300 members of the Canadian Armed Forces requested exemptions for medical or religious reasons.

Nearly 1,000 troops denied vaccine exemptions

Sunwing party flight passengers fined $59,500

Sunwing party flight passengers fined $59,500
Omar Alghabra's office says 42 tickets were issued, including 18 for non-compliance with vaccination requirements and 24 for violations of masking rules.

Sunwing party flight passengers fined $59,500

Vancouver's empty homes tax to jump to 5 per cent

Vancouver's empty homes tax to jump to 5 per cent
Councillors have unanimously backed a motion from Mayor Kennedy Stewart to hike the empty homes tax to five per cent of a property's assessed value, effective next year.

Vancouver's empty homes tax to jump to 5 per cent

Richmond RCMP warn public of fake taxi / debit card scam

Richmond RCMP warn public of fake taxi / debit card scam
The unsuspecting victim then provides the driver with a debit card to pay for the transaction electronically. The driver then claims the tap function on his electronic payment machine does not work. He then takes the victim’s card, pretends to make a transaction, has the victim put in their PIN number, and gives a bogus card back to the victim. 

Richmond RCMP warn public of fake taxi / debit card scam

Four people arrested at Boundary Road & Grandview Highway demonstration

Four people arrested at Boundary Road & Grandview Highway demonstration
Several demonstrators left the area upon police arrival; however, one man and three women, including one who glued herself to the road, were arrested for Mischief and Intimidation by blocking or obstructing a highway.

Four people arrested at Boundary Road & Grandview Highway demonstration