Monday, June 29, 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

    'Rent-a-cop' Program Brings Millions To Police Coffers, But Critics Want Change

    'Rent-a-cop' Program Brings Millions To Police Coffers, But Critics Want Change
    TORONTO — Police officers across Canada have been getting paid for years to stand around manholes and construction sites during off-hours.

    'Rent-a-cop' Program Brings Millions To Police Coffers, But Critics Want Change

    Lightning Sparks Five New Wildfires In B.C. Interior As Massive Blaze Continues

    Lightning Sparks Five New Wildfires In B.C. Interior As Massive Blaze Continues
    PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Crews are responding to five new wildfires in British Columbia's Central Interior, as a massive blaze continues to burn about 70 kilometres southwest of Prince George.

    Lightning Sparks Five New Wildfires In B.C. Interior As Massive Blaze Continues

    Senators Owner Melnyk Needs Liver Transplant, Turns To Public For Donor

    Senators Owner Melnyk Needs Liver Transplant, Turns To Public For Donor
    The organization announced Thursday afternoon that owner Eugene Melnyk is in urgent need of a liver transplant and is making a public plea to find a live donor.

    Senators Owner Melnyk Needs Liver Transplant, Turns To Public For Donor

    Piggybacking Political Trips And Official Business: A Favourite Political Twofer

    Piggybacking Political Trips And Official Business: A Favourite Political Twofer
    The prime minister's travel agenda these days is a neat package of taxpayer-paid photo opportunities paired with Conservative rallies — a popular twofer in Canadian politics.

    Piggybacking Political Trips And Official Business: A Favourite Political Twofer

    Ottawa Senators' Owner Eugene Melnyk Could Undergo Surgery This Coming Week

    Ottawa Senators' Owner Eugene Melnyk Could Undergo Surgery This Coming Week
    TORONTO — With more than 500 people offering to give part of their liver to Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, one of his doctors is now saying he could undergo surgery by the end of this week.

    Ottawa Senators' Owner Eugene Melnyk Could Undergo Surgery This Coming Week

    19-Year-Old Boy Killed In Whistler During Victoria Day Long Weekend, Suspects In Custody

    19-Year-Old Boy Killed In Whistler During Victoria Day Long Weekend, Suspects In Custody
    Homicide investigators have taken several suspects into custody in relation to the death of a teenage man in Whistler, B.C., over the Victoria Day long weekend.

    19-Year-Old Boy Killed In Whistler During Victoria Day Long Weekend, Suspects In Custody