Monday, December 29, 2025
ADVT 
National

B.C. unveils $1.5B economic recovery plan

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Sep, 2020 10:36 PM
  • B.C. unveils $1.5B economic recovery plan

The British Columbia government is announcing $660 million in new tax incentives and outlining how it will spend another $1.5 billion for economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan earmarks $417 million to support jobs and training, including $300 million to hire new health-care workers.

Premier John Horgan's government has also announced funding for the tourism industry, food security, climate action, and technology and innovation.

About $100 million in infrastructure grants will be available for projects that are ready to begin and $300 million in grants for small- and medium-size businesses to help protect more than 200,000 jobs in hard-hit industries.

The tax incentives include a temporary 100 per cent PST rebate on select machinery and equipment for eligible businesses and a 15 per cent tax credit on eligible new payroll to encourage businesses to hire more workers.

The government says that as of August, almost 250,000 jobs have been restored, equal to 62 per cent of the total jobs lost due to the pandemic.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. applauds extension of COVID-19 rent relief

B.C. applauds extension of COVID-19 rent relief
British Columbia's finance minister says the province welcomes a federal government decision to extend help to businesses struggling with rent payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

B.C. applauds extension of COVID-19 rent relief

BC Hydro says pandemic delays Site C project

BC Hydro says pandemic delays Site C project
British Columbia's massive Site C hydroelectric dam project has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and now faces construction delays and rising costs.

BC Hydro says pandemic delays Site C project

Overdose prevention worker murdered in Vancouver

Overdose prevention worker murdered in Vancouver
A worker at an overdose prevention site in Vancouver's West End has been identified as the city's ninth homicide victim of 2020 and police are appealing for witnesses as they track his killer.

Overdose prevention worker murdered in Vancouver

Rescue groups race to save entangled whales

Rescue groups race to save entangled whales
Marine mammal rescue groups and federal fisheries officials are working against time in waters off the coast of British Columbia to save three humpback whales entangled in fishing gear.

Rescue groups race to save entangled whales

Telus Q2 profit drops to $315 million

Telus Q2 profit drops to $315 million
Telus Corp. says its net income fell 39 per cent in its latest quarter despite an uptick in revenues.

Telus Q2 profit drops to $315 million

Most overestimate swimming ability: report

Most overestimate swimming ability: report
British Columbia's power authority has released a survey showing most people overestimate their swimming ability and may be more at risk of drowning.

Most overestimate swimming ability: report