British Columbia remains on track to balance the 2013-14 budget, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced September 10.
Minister de Jong said the year-end surplus for 2013-14 is now projected to be $136 million – a decrease of $17 million compared with the figure given in the June budget update.
The provincial government said revenues have improved by $69 million. These are expected to partially offset increased expenses of $86 million that relate in large part to fire fighting and flood-related emergency services.
"This first Quarterly Report shows that we are making the tough choices needed to keep the budget balanced, controlling our spending and delivering on our promise to taxpayers," said de Jong.
"Ongoing challenges in the global and domestic economies mean we must continue to exercise the discipline that helped produce the balanced budget and sustain our commitment that we will not spend more money than taxpayers send to government."
The minister also announced that the public consultations on Budget 2014 have officially been launched.
"I hope British Columbians will take the time to tell us about their priorities for government and what they want to see in Balanced Budget 2014," de Jong said.
