British Columbia ends 2016-17 fiscal year with $2.7 billion surplus
VICTORIA — The B.C. government ended the last fiscal year with a surplus of $2.7 billion, largely in line with unaudited financial results released two months ago by the province’s former Liberal government.
The 2016-17 public accounts released Tuesday by Finance Minister Carole James also show a $3.4-billion increase in revenue over the budget forecast while spending was $1.3 billion higher.
James said while B.C.’s economic growth outperformed most other provinces, poverty remains a reality for many people struggling to afford basic needs in a province where the cost of housing is high.
She said the New Democrats are planning programs to benefit seniors, as well as low- to middle-income families that can’t pay for quality child care and businesses that can’t find employees because of the cost of living in some communities.