B.C.’s economy is expected grow moderately over the next year according to B.C.’s independent Economic Forecast Council. On average, the council forecasts B.C.’s GDP growth at 3.3 per cent for this year. More >
The Dominion Bond Rating Service, Standard & Poor, and Moody's Investment Service have all reconfirmed B.C.'s strong credit rating. The most recent report from Moody's notes the Province's debt reduction efforts of the past few years have put British Columbia in a stronger position to face the economic downturn. DBRS rates B.C. AA (High); Standard & Poor, AAA; and Moody's, AAA.
B.C. product exports ended the year on a high note (+7.3 per cent seasonally adjusted) in December. The value of all major commodity groups shipped from the province was up, most notably for the energy sector (+12.4 per cent). Despite a substantial drop-off of energy shipments to the US (-16.0 per cent), exports of energy goods to other countries (+28.2 per cent) more than made up the difference. More >
Investment in non-residential buildings in B.C. climbed 2.4 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in the fourth quarter of 2010, bolstered by activity in Vancouver. Spending on new industrial (+2.0 per cent) and commercial (+4.7 per cent) buildings in the province was robust, offsetting declines in the institutional & government (–1.3 per cent) sector. More >
Foreign travel to Canada via BC edged down slightly (−0.4 per cent) in January mainly due to a second consecutive decline in overnight visits from the US (−2.5 per cent). Travel from overseas locations inched ahead 0.7 per cent in January, driven by a larger number of visitors from both Asia (+1.4 per cent) and Europe (+1.0 per cent). The increase in European arrivals is the first after four straight monthly declines. More >
The province’s unemployment rate stood at 8.8 per cent in February 2011. Compared to 12 months ago, employment in B.C. has increased by 14,200 jobs. More >
The average weekly wage in B.C. in February 2011 was $828.91, comparable to the national average of $832.58. For B.C. youth between the ages of 15 and 24, the average weekly wage was $400.35—third highest in Canada. More >
British Columbia's annual inflation rate was 1.3 per cent in 2010, significantly lower than the national rate of 1.8 per cent. More >
Manufacturing sales in British Columbia advanced 0.3 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in December, a slowdown from the increase registered (+2.0 per cent) in the previous month. More >