British Columbia budget reveal set

Financial relief to be offered across a number of sectors, as well as tweaks to medical premiums

British Columbia's Liberal government is set to unveil the provincial budget today, and Premier Christy Clark says it will include financial relief for people in various sectors.

The government hinted in its throne speech last week that help is on the way for first-time homebuyers struggling to break into the red-hot housing market.

The budget is also expected to tweak what Clark has called an antiquated medical services premiums program, but will stop short of abolishing the premiums.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong is expected to introduce the government's fourth consecutive balanced budget, and he notes most provinces and the federal government won't see that this year.

The Royal Bank forecasts the province's economy to lead Canada’s growth rate this year at 3.1 per cent and 2.9 per cent next year.

The B.C. government has forecast growth at 2.4 per cent for 2016.


The Canadian Press

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