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

Kids won't need COVID-19 test to enter Canada

Kids won't need COVID-19 test to enter Canada
Pre-entry tests will still be needed for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 who are eligible to travel to Canada. Children under five years of age don't currently require a COVID-19 test.

Kids won't need COVID-19 test to enter Canada

Man exposes himself 3 times at Langara college: VPD

Man exposes himself 3 times at Langara college: VPD
The first incident occurred on March 20 when a man exposed his genitals to a student in the college library. This incident was recently reported to police. The second incident occurred on March 27 when a man exposed his genitals to a staff member at the college. 

Man exposes himself 3 times at Langara college: VPD

Documents show push to block unvaccinated from EI

Documents show push to block unvaccinated from EI
The briefing notes prepared for Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough say that unvaccinated workers could qualify for EI sickness benefits, even if they are sick with COVID-19.

Documents show push to block unvaccinated from EI

House of Commons to lift ban on public visitors

House of Commons to lift ban on public visitors
The public will also be able to watch committees where MPs discuss a variety of issues including health and Indigenous affairs. Next month, guided tours of the House of Commons will also restart for the first time since March 2020.    

House of Commons to lift ban on public visitors

Electric vehicle sales grow, but not fast enough

Electric vehicle sales grow, but not fast enough
Across the whole year, 86,000 battery-electric and plug-in hybrids were sold, accounting for 5.2 per cent of new registrations. That compares with 54,000 in 2020, making up 3.5 per cent of total vehicle registrations.

Electric vehicle sales grow, but not fast enough

Changes to Indigenous rights litigation in B.C.

Changes to Indigenous rights litigation in B.C.
The Attorney General's Ministry said the goals of a series of 20 directives for the Crown are prioritizing resolution and negotiated settlement and reducing the potential for legal action over Indigenous rights and title.

Changes to Indigenous rights litigation in B.C.