Finance minister Mike De Jong says the government quickly revised its provincial budget over the last few days to lower its expected revenue from natural gas royalties in the next year. De Jong says the change was made after advice from independent economist Tim O'Neill, who found the government over-estimated natural gas revenues in five of … [Read more...]
BC Finance Minister sees reason for optimism
November 16, 2012 by
BC's FInance Minister came out of an economic forecast council meeting feeling somewhat hopeful. Mike de Jong says the economists and big bank representatives sounded a note of cautious optimism on the BC and Canadian economy. He says they also expressed optimism about our neighbours to the south. "Something that may have surprised me a … [Read more...]
Finance committee recommends B.C. stay on track to balance budget
November 14, 2012 by
An all-party standing committee of the legislature is recommending the B.C. government stay the course in its budget-balancing plan, but it has a few new ideas to spend your tax dollars. The finance committee calls on the government to meet its target of a balanced budget in the next fiscal year – already a tough job with falling revenues to … [Read more...]
New Finance Minister warns of “troubling” numbers
September 6, 2012 by
BC's new Finance Minister is dangling the possibility of tax cuts, even as he warns of a worsening financial picture. He's only been on the job for one full day, but Mike de Jong is already worried about falling revenues to government. "I have already seen some numbers that are troubling." "Like what?" "Natural gas." And yet de Jong is … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: Falcon steps down as Finance Minister, won’t run again
August 29, 2012 by
One of Premier Christy Clark's top ministers is calling it a day. Kevin Falcon confirms he's quitting as Finance Minister and will not run in next year's election. Falcon says he broke the news to the premier this morning. "I think it is very important for the Premier to have a Minister of Finance who throughout the fall is putting together … [Read more...]
BC’s Finance Minister warns against axing the Carbon tax
August 15, 2012 by
If BC's Finance minister has his way the Canadian Taxpayers Federation won't get its wish to have the Carbon tax scrapped. Kevin Falcon says "I think scrapping it would be a big mistake first of all because it is effective secondly because it has contributed to significant income tax reductions for British Columbians which has given us the … [Read more...]
BC’s Finance Minister says province on track for a surplus budget
August 7, 2012 by
While the next budget is months away BC's Finance minister sees a glimmer of hope in the direction the provincial economy is taking. When asked if the economy is improving enough to see some flexibility come next springs budget Kevin Falcon said. "Well I think the good news coming out of public accounts that I reported out in July … [Read more...]
BC’s Finance minister defends costy credit card bills to the taxpayers
August 6, 2012 by
BC's Finance Minister is defending millions of taxpayer dollars being spent on government credit cards across the ministries and the premier's office. Kevin Falcon says as people hear about the costs coming from the various ministries they shouldn't jump to any conclusions. "Many of them seem unexplainable but once people understand … [Read more...]
NDP Finance critic wants the deficit confusion cleared up quickly
July 26, 2012 by
The NDP's Finance critic wants clarity when it comes to BC's deficit. Bruce Ralston isn't pointing fingers but says the Public Sector Accounting Board needs to make a decision. "I think what the public expects is they expect accuracy and clarity and thats a reasonable expectation so it needs to be resolved one way or the other and … [Read more...]
BC Finance Minister gets into the ring
July 26, 2012 by
BC's Finance Minister is wading into the brewing fight between BC and Alberta over the Northern Gateway Oil Pipeline. Kevin Falcon says BC's demand for more revenue isn't unlike what other Provinces have done, "Look at what has happened with, you know, Danny Williams in the past, in terms of negotiating with the Feds for some benefits in … [Read more...]
