Economy, Law & Politics

Record numbers of newcomers to Canada mean busy support services, accommodation concerns and big questions about the future.

It may come as a shock to other industries, but in the Industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-unit residential construction sector, contractors aren’t paid upon completion of their work.

Think of provincial finances like your family budget. Right now, Premier David Eby has a big debt to settle.

Lisa Helps will help develop the province’s B.C. Builds program, an initiative to build housing for middle-income families, individuals and seniors.

Storm clouds are gathering over B.C.’s construction industry as we enter 2023. For more than a decade, cheap money has helped fuel a booming sector.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index was down in late-morning trading amid losses in the industrial and technology sectors, while U.S. stock markets were mixed. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 25.56 points at 20,574.04.

British Columbians are struggling with debt. This could be expected, given that inflation hit a 39-year peak of 8.1 per cent last June, interest rates are at 15-year highs and COVID-19-related financial support is long gone.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the number of job vacancies fell by 2.4 per cent in November to their lowest level since August 2021. The agency says the number of job vacancies across all sectors was down 20,700 at 850,300 for the month.

Nearly half of British Columbians think the actions of the provincial government will be effective in making housing more affordable.