Thursday, January 1, 2026
ADVT 
National

Wildfire Costs, Dropping Revenues, Challenge B.C.'s Budget Surplus: Mike De Jong

The Canadian Press, 15 Sep, 2015 12:48 PM
    VICTORIA — British Columbians should expect mixed news when the province's first quarter financial update is released later today.
     
    Finance Minister Mike de Jong predicts wildfire suppression costs will reach about $380-million, once everything is added up.
     
    The minister says the unexpectedly high bill, coupled with a skid in some resource revenues, has put pressure on a balanced bottom line.
     
    However, he says there has been improvement in other areas, so overall, he remains cautiously confident that figures will remain in the black.
     
    In February, the province projected a surplus of $284-million for fiscal 2015/16.
     
    De Jong releases the first quarterly report at 10 a.m., in Victoria.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Lilly Singh AKA Superwoman Nominated For 2015 Teen Choice Awards

    Lilly Singh AKA Superwoman Nominated For 2015 Teen Choice Awards
    Indian-Canadian comedienne Lilly Singh has earned a nomination in the "2015 Teen Choice Awards" to be held in Los Angeles on August 16, a media report said.

    Lilly Singh AKA Superwoman Nominated For 2015 Teen Choice Awards

    Sascha Hedrich Identified As A Man Killed In Highway 1 Tour Bus Collision

    Sascha Hedrich Identified As A Man Killed In Highway 1 Tour Bus Collision
    CHASE, B.C. — British Columbia's coroners service has identified the man who died in last week's collision involving a tour bus on a notorious section of the Trans-Canada Highway.

    Sascha Hedrich Identified As A Man Killed In Highway 1 Tour Bus Collision

    Vancouver Police Officer Ismail Bhabha Found Guilty Of Assault To Be Sentenced In November

    Vancouver Police Officer Ismail Bhabha Found Guilty Of Assault To Be Sentenced In November
    Const. Ismail Bhabha's actions were captured on video that surfaced on the Internet.

    Vancouver Police Officer Ismail Bhabha Found Guilty Of Assault To Be Sentenced In November

    Most Wildfires Human-caused Across British Columbia: Forests Minister Steve Thomson

    Most Wildfires Human-caused Across British Columbia: Forests Minister Steve Thomson
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A spike in human-caused wildfires across British Columbia has the forests minister calling for more vigilance from the public.

    Most Wildfires Human-caused Across British Columbia: Forests Minister Steve Thomson

    Accused Cop Shooter Ken Knutson's Case Resumes In December With Preliminary Inquiry

    Accused Cop Shooter Ken Knutson's Case Resumes In December With Preliminary Inquiry
    Ken Knutson, 36, has pleaded not guilty to various offences including the attempted murder of Cpl. Jean-Rene Michaud.

    Accused Cop Shooter Ken Knutson's Case Resumes In December With Preliminary Inquiry

    Forestry Crews Busy Spotting New Fires Spawned By Overnight Storm

    Forestry Crews Busy Spotting New Fires Spawned By Overnight Storm
    A lightning storm has rolled across the B-C Interior and the B-C Wildfire Management Branch says it means more work -- and more concern -- for the province's parched woodlands.

    Forestry Crews Busy Spotting New Fires Spawned By Overnight Storm