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

A man has been sentenced in the April 2020 shooting of Pritpal Singh.

A man has been sentenced in the April 2020 shooting of Pritpal Singh.
Following a trial in January 2022, Robert Tomljenovic was found not guilty of second degree murder, but guilty of manslaughter and robbery with a firearm.  On April 12, 2022, Robert Tomljenovic was handed a sentence of 12 years less time served.

A man has been sentenced in the April 2020 shooting of Pritpal Singh.

Vivesh Kochher and AVR Drywall Recycling Ltd. fined $20,000 by WorkSafe BC for knowingly exposing employees to asbestos

Vivesh Kochher and AVR Drywall Recycling Ltd. fined $20,000 by WorkSafe BC for knowingly exposing employees to asbestos
WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined that Mr. Kochher had failed to ensure the health and safety of between 13 and 15 workers, by knowingly exposing them to asbestos-containing material.  

Vivesh Kochher and AVR Drywall Recycling Ltd. fined $20,000 by WorkSafe BC for knowingly exposing employees to asbestos

Canada's COVID-19 vaccines starting to expire

Canada's COVID-19 vaccines starting to expire
The 1.5 million expired doses amount to less than two per cent of the 118 million doses delivered to Canada since December 2020. There are more than 18 million doses in Canada's national stockpile at the moment, the vast majority of which will expire in the next four mont

Canada's COVID-19 vaccines starting to expire

Trudeau touts budget as bank raises interest rate

Trudeau touts budget as bank raises interest rate
Trudeau told reporters today in the Montreal area that the recently tabled budget includes measures to help with the high cost of housing, including a tax-free savings account buyers can use to purchase a first home starting next year.    

Trudeau touts budget as bank raises interest rate

Bank of Canada increases interest rate to 1 percent

Bank of Canada increases interest rate to 1 percent
The central bank hiked its policy interest rate by half a percentage point to one per cent on Wednesday. Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said inflation is too high and is expected to stay elevated for longer than the bank previously thought.

Bank of Canada increases interest rate to 1 percent

One dead as tree topples across Vancouver road

One dead as tree topples across Vancouver road
A statement from police says it happened just after 5 p.m. Tuesday on Marine Way in southeast Vancouver. They say the victim was alone in a sedan when the tree toppled across all three westbound lanes, crushing the vehicle's passenger compartment.

One dead as tree topples across Vancouver road