Tuesday, June 16, 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

    RCMP Charge B.C. Man Othman Ayed Hamdan With Terrorism Offences For Posting ISIS Propaganda Online

    RCMP Charge B.C. Man Othman Ayed Hamdan With Terrorism Offences For Posting ISIS Propaganda Online
    VANCOUVER — A man from northern British Columbia has been charged with three terrorism-related counts, accused of posting Islamic State propaganda online.

    RCMP Charge B.C. Man Othman Ayed Hamdan With Terrorism Offences For Posting ISIS Propaganda Online

    Pilot Battling Wildfires In B.C. Interior Escapes Injuries After Single-Engine Water Bomber Crashes

    Pilot Battling Wildfires In B.C. Interior Escapes Injuries After Single-Engine Water Bomber Crashes
    VANCOUVER — A pilot battling wildfires in British Columbia's Interior escaped serious injury after crashing his single-engine plane into a lake while scooping water, says a spokesman for the Transportation Safety Board.

    Pilot Battling Wildfires In B.C. Interior Escapes Injuries After Single-Engine Water Bomber Crashes

    Coroner Identifies James Butters As The Man Shot ByPort Hardy RCMP; Police Watchdog Seeks Witnesses

    Coroner Identifies James Butters As The Man Shot ByPort Hardy RCMP; Police Watchdog Seeks Witnesses
    James Butters, who was also known as James Hayward, died Wednesday morning near the intersection of Highway 19 and Granville Street in Port Hardy.

    Coroner Identifies James Butters As The Man Shot ByPort Hardy RCMP; Police Watchdog Seeks Witnesses

    Conservation Officer Called Killing Bear Cubs 'Needless,' Says Leaked Documents

    Conservation Officer Called Killing Bear Cubs 'Needless,' Says Leaked Documents
    VICTORIA — A conservation officer in British Columbia credited with sparing the lives of two orphaned bear cubs apparently told his superiors that his duties don't include the needless killing of a baby animal.

    Conservation Officer Called Killing Bear Cubs 'Needless,' Says Leaked Documents

    Canadian Nurse Fears Nepal's Quake Victims Forgotten As Need Remains Dire

    Canadian Nurse Fears Nepal's Quake Victims Forgotten As Need Remains Dire
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A nurse practitioner from Williams Lake, B.C., hopes Canadians haven't forgotten the victims of two massive earthquakes in Nepal.

    Canadian Nurse Fears Nepal's Quake Victims Forgotten As Need Remains Dire

    Showers And Lower Temperatures Forecast For Weekend Could Tame B.C. Wildfires

    Environment Canada is forecasting lower temperatures and the possibility of rain in Williams Lake, Pemberton and Nelson, all areas where fires have been devouring forests.

    Showers And Lower Temperatures Forecast For Weekend Could Tame B.C. Wildfires