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

    Body Of Australian Tourist Found In Industrial Area Outside Whistler

    Body Of Australian Tourist Found In Industrial Area Outside Whistler
    A spokeswoman for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 19-year-old Jake Kermond had been staying in the resort town since March.

    Body Of Australian Tourist Found In Industrial Area Outside Whistler

    When Is A Taxi Not A Taxi? A Drunk Abbotsford Driver Learns The Hard Way

    When Is A Taxi Not A Taxi? A Drunk Abbotsford Driver Learns The Hard Way
    ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — A drunk driver in Abbotsford, B.C., is getting no sympathy for a belated decision to pocket his car keys and grab a cab.

    When Is A Taxi Not A Taxi? A Drunk Abbotsford Driver Learns The Hard Way

    Poor Air Quality In Whistler From Wildfires As B.C. Battles 182 Blazes

    Poor Air Quality In Whistler From Wildfires As B.C. Battles 182 Blazes
    VANCOUVER — Smoke from two wildfires near Whistler, B.C., is contributing to poor air quality in the town renowned for its outdoor activities.

    Poor Air Quality In Whistler From Wildfires As B.C. Battles 182 Blazes

    Indian Man, 62, Leaps In Front Of Train To Save Granddaughter At Australian Railway Station

    Indian Man, 62, Leaps In Front Of Train To Save Granddaughter At Australian Railway Station
    The grandfather, who had arrived in Australia only a few days ago, launched himself into the path of the train at Sydney's Wentworthville station on Sunday after the pram holding the toddler rolled onto the tracks

    Indian Man, 62, Leaps In Front Of Train To Save Granddaughter At Australian Railway Station

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver Says Too Early To Say Whether We're In Recession

    Oliver says the country is well positioned to weather an economic battering but it is in a fragile environment with external factors like the price of oil and economic troubles in Europe.

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver Says Too Early To Say Whether We're In Recession

    B.C. Moves To Protect At-Risk Young Males With Free HPV Vaccine

    B.C. Moves To Protect At-Risk Young Males With Free HPV Vaccine
    Beginning in September, boys and men up to age 26 will be eligible for publicly funded HPV vaccine that offers broad protection from the most common sexually-transmitted infection.

    B.C. Moves To Protect At-Risk Young Males With Free HPV Vaccine