BC Economy 2023

CPAs are on the front lines of business in this province, and they see firsthand what issues are affecting investment and the economy. CPABC provides CPAs and the public with timely economic updates and analysis on British Columbia as a place to WORK, INVEST, and LIVE.

BC Check-Up Invest

BC Check-Up 2023 Invest

The 2023 BC Check-Up Invest focuses on investment trends across the province and in each of the province’s seven development regions. The report finds that in 2022, despite rising interest rates, key investment indicators such as housing starts, non-residential investment, and major project activity remained strong. However, building permits issued - a leading indicator - declined significantly since interest rates began increasing, indicating investment will likely weaken in 2023. Further, GDP per person is forecasted to decline, and government debt is expected to increase significantly.

Press Release

CPABC: Building investment strong in 2022, but high inflation and interest rates weaken outlook
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BC Check-Up: Investment climate shows strength in housing construction, but challenges in economic growth and major projects
Economy & Policy

BC Check-Up: Investment climate shows strength in housing construction, but challenges in economic growth and major projects

By Jack Blackwell, Economist
Apr 9, 2024
Investing in BC
Economy & Policy

Investing in BC

By Jack Blackwell
Mar 11, 2024
Transferring a family business? New tax laws coming in January
Economy & Policy

Transferring a family business? New tax laws coming in January

By Denise Deveau
Dec 18, 2023
Employee benefits inflation projection for 2024
Economy & Policy

Employee benefits inflation projection for 2024

By Dan Eisner
Dec 12, 2023
What are the benefits of BC’s Pay Transparency Act?
Economy & Policy

What are the benefits of BC’s Pay Transparency Act?

By Caitlin Vdovine
Dec 7, 2023
Work in BC
Economy & Policy

Work in BC

By Jack Blackwell
Nov 9, 2023
Life in BC - Immigration driving growth as housing crisis persists
Economy & Policy

Life in BC - Immigration driving growth as housing crisis persists

By Aaron Aerts
Jul 26, 2023
CPABC: BC’s population growth surges in 2022 as international migration picks up
Economy & Policy

CPABC: BC’s population growth surges in 2022 as international migration picks up

By Jack Blackwell
Jul 26, 2023
How can BC focus on policies that boost economic outlook?
Economy & Policy

How can BC focus on policies that boost economic outlook?

By Lori Mathison
May 19, 2023
Economic update: Inflation slowing, BC labour market strong, and forestry industry struggles
Economy & Policy

Economic update: Inflation slowing, BC labour market strong, and forestry industry struggles

By Aaron Aerts
Apr 21, 2023
CPABC: Building investment strong in 2022, but high inflation and interest rates weaken outlook
Economy & Policy

CPABC: Building investment strong in 2022, but high inflation and interest rates weaken outlook

Mar 20, 2023
Economic update: Inflation slowing but remains high; BC adds more jobs
Economy & Policy

Economic update: Inflation slowing but remains high; BC adds more jobs

By Aaron Aerts
Feb 28, 2023
Economic update: Interest rates may have peaked as inflation begins to slow
Economy & Policy

Economic update: Interest rates may have peaked as inflation begins to slow

By Aaron Aerts
Dec 19, 2022
Holiday spending up this season, though inflation weighing: PwC Report
Economy & Policy

Holiday spending up this season, though inflation weighing: PwC Report

By Aaron Aerts
Dec 7, 2022
Despite economic challenges, BC facing record labour shortages
Economy & Policy

Despite economic challenges, BC facing record labour shortages

By Lori Mathison
Dec 1, 2022
Employee benefits inflation projection for 2023
Economy & Policy

Employee benefits inflation projection for 2023

By Dan Eisner
Nov 23, 2022
Economic update – BC’s labour market remains strong, but rising interest rates and housing costs cause challenges
Economy & Policy

Economic update – BC’s labour market remains strong, but rising interest rates and housing costs cause challenges

By Aaron Aerts
Nov 21, 2022
The Cullen Commission: What's next?
Economy & Policy

The Cullen Commission: What's next?

By Jessica McKeachie
Nov 17, 2022
Work in BC
Economy & Policy

Work in BC

By Aaron Aerts
Nov 8, 2022
Work-life balance preferred over big salaries, CPAs say
Economy & Policy

Work-life balance preferred over big salaries, CPAs say

By Sophie Nicholls Jones
Sep 28, 2022
Economic update: Inflation, interest rates, and weakening employment challenge BC’s recovery
Economy & Policy

Economic update: Inflation, interest rates, and weakening employment challenge BC’s recovery

By Aaron Aerts
Sep 23, 2022
What do the recent interest rate hikes mean for Canadians?
Economy & Policy

What do the recent interest rate hikes mean for Canadians?

By Andrew Smith
Aug 5, 2022
CPABC: B.C. housing shortage creates affordability crunch
Economy & Policy

CPABC: B.C. housing shortage creates affordability crunch

By Lori Mathison
Jul 21, 2022
The high cost of living in British Columbia
Economy & Policy

The high cost of living in British Columbia

By Aaron Aerts
Jul 13, 2022
Uneven BC economic recovery: Price escalation, robust labour market
Economy & Policy

Uneven BC economic recovery: Price escalation, robust labour market

By Aaron Aerts
Jun 29, 2022
CPABC: BC's population growth continued to slow into 2021, housing prices a major deterrent
Economy & Policy

CPABC: BC's population growth continued to slow into 2021, housing prices a major deterrent

Jun 20, 2022
BC springs forward with strong economy, but inflationary and labour supply pressures loom
Economy & Policy

BC springs forward with strong economy, but inflationary and labour supply pressures loom

By Aaron Aerts
Apr 20, 2022
BC Check-Up: Invest
Economy & Policy

BC Check-Up: Invest

By Aaron Aerts
Mar 8, 2022
Greater Victoria starts 2022 off with low unemployment, but high job vacancies
Economy & Policy

Greater Victoria starts 2022 off with low unemployment, but high job vacancies

By Lindalee Brougham
Feb 10, 2022
Kicking off 2022 with record employment and job vacancies in the Thompson-Okanagan
Economy & Policy

Kicking off 2022 with record employment and job vacancies in the Thompson-Okanagan

By Karen Christiansen
Jan 26, 2022
BC ended 2021 with robust labour market, but employment growth lags population gains
Economy & Policy

BC ended 2021 with robust labour market, but employment growth lags population gains

By Aaron Aerts
Jan 21, 2022
BC employment continues to exceed pre-pandemic levels, exports reach record highs
Economy & Policy

BC employment continues to exceed pre-pandemic levels, exports reach record highs

By Aaron Aerts
Dec 20, 2021
PwC forecasts holiday spending to be up a third this year
Economy & Policy

PwC forecasts holiday spending to be up a third this year

By Aaron Aerts
Dec 3, 2021
Employee benefits inflation update for 2022
Economy & Policy

Employee benefits inflation update for 2022

By Dan Eisner
Nov 25, 2021
Work in British Columbia
Economy & Policy

Work in British Columbia

By Aaron Aerts
Nov 17, 2021
Employment gains over past year pushes BC workforce above pre-pandemic levels
Economy & Policy

Employment gains over past year pushes BC workforce above pre-pandemic levels

By Aaron Aerts
Oct 25, 2021
CPABC: B.C.’s labour market tightening as workforce up over 150,000 positions since September 2020
Economy & Policy

CPABC: B.C.’s labour market tightening as workforce up over 150,000 positions since September 2020

By Aaron Aerts
Oct 25, 2021
CPABC's 2022-2023 Budget Submission: A focus on tax modernization to encourage economic resurgence
Economy & Policy

CPABC's 2022-2023 Budget Submission: A focus on tax modernization to encourage economic resurgence

By Aaron Aerts
Oct 1, 2021
CPABC: With limited fiscal room, B.C. government should focus on tax modernization to spur growth
Economy & Policy

CPABC: With limited fiscal room, B.C. government should focus on tax modernization to spur growth

Sep 30, 2021
Life in British Columbia
Economy & Policy

Life in British Columbia

By Aaron Aerts
Jul 14, 2021
PwC CEO Survey: Despite economic optimism, investment in employees and workplaces is critical
Economy & Policy

PwC CEO Survey: Despite economic optimism, investment in employees and workplaces is critical

By Jim McGuigan
Jun 22, 2021
BC’s population growth slowed in 2020 while inadequate housing supply pushing prices higher
Economy & Policy

BC’s population growth slowed in 2020 while inadequate housing supply pushing prices higher

Jun 14, 2021
BC suffers job losses due to circuit breaker, but economy is still expected to resurge this year
Economy & Policy

BC suffers job losses due to circuit breaker, but economy is still expected to resurge this year

By Aaron Aerts
May 20, 2021
Where does BC’s economy stand a year after the pandemic shut down our status quo?
Economy & Policy

Where does BC’s economy stand a year after the pandemic shut down our status quo?

By Aaron Aerts
Apr 23, 2021
CPABC: B.C.’s Budget 2021 Focused on Economic and Healthcare Supports
Economy & Policy

CPABC: B.C.’s Budget 2021 Focused on Economic and Healthcare Supports

By CPABC
Apr 22, 2021
Ambitious 2021 federal budget offers $101 billion in new spending over coming years
Economy & Policy

Ambitious 2021 federal budget offers $101 billion in new spending over coming years

By Aaron Aerts
Apr 19, 2021
Strong major project activity in Southwest B.C. may spark economic rebound
Economy & Policy

Strong major project activity in Southwest B.C. may spark economic rebound

By Lori Mathison
Mar 24, 2021
BC economy continues to recover in February, but challenges remain
Economy & Policy

BC economy continues to recover in February, but challenges remain

By Aaron Aerts
Mar 23, 2021
Greater Victoria business activity and housing starts take a hit in 2020, but major investments should boost recovery
Economy & Policy

Greater Victoria business activity and housing starts take a hit in 2020, but major investments should boost recovery

By Lindalee Brougham
Mar 19, 2021
CPA profession appears at Cullen Commission into money laundering
Economy & Policy

CPA profession appears at Cullen Commission into money laundering

By Jessica McKeachie
Mar 5, 2021
Canadian economy hitting some bumps on road to recovery
Economy & Policy

Canadian economy hitting some bumps on road to recovery

By Aaron Aerts
Jan 15, 2021
Southwest B.C.’s employment recovering, but nearly 70,000 workers remain displaced
Economy & Policy

Southwest B.C.’s employment recovering, but nearly 70,000 workers remain displaced

By Lori Mathison
Jan 14, 2021
Thompson-Okanagan’s goods sector leading economic recovery
Economy & Policy

Thompson-Okanagan’s goods sector leading economic recovery

By Karen Christiansen, FCPA, FCA
Jan 13, 2021
The fight continues
Economy & Policy

The fight continues

By Jessica McKeachie
Jan 13, 2021
2020 is the year of working (out) from home
Economy & Policy

2020 is the year of working (out) from home

By Matthew Hague
Dec 14, 2020
Why scaling up BC tech companies is critical to BC’s economy
Economy & Policy

Why scaling up BC tech companies is critical to BC’s economy

By Kerri Wilcox
Dec 11, 2020
COVID-19 employment disruption remains concentrated amongst B.C.’s youth
Economy & Policy

COVID-19 employment disruption remains concentrated amongst B.C.’s youth

By Lori Mathison
Nov 30, 2020
BC Check-Up: Work
Economy & Policy

BC Check-Up: Work

By Aaron Aerts
Nov 16, 2020
CPABC: Despite recent gains, COVID-19 continues to displace over 100,000 workers across B.C.
Economy & Policy

CPABC: Despite recent gains, COVID-19 continues to displace over 100,000 workers across B.C.

By CPABC
Nov 4, 2020
At 12.3 per cent, Southwest B.C.’s summer unemployment rate highest in B.C.
Economy & Policy

At 12.3 per cent, Southwest B.C.’s summer unemployment rate highest in B.C.

By CPABC
Nov 3, 2020
BC continues strong job growth and recovery in consumer spending in September
Economy & Policy

BC continues strong job growth and recovery in consumer spending in September

By Aaron Aerts
Oct 26, 2020
The new retail experience: How COVID-19 rapidly accelerated the shift in customer demands
Economy & Policy

The new retail experience: How COVID-19 rapidly accelerated the shift in customer demands

By Aaron Aerts
Sep 2, 2020
July data sees BC’s economic recovery continue, but recent COVID-19 outbreaks pose threat
Economy & Policy

July data sees BC’s economic recovery continue, but recent COVID-19 outbreaks pose threat

By Aaron Aerts
Aug 20, 2020
BC’s road to recovery: Supporting displaced workers
Economy & Policy

BC’s road to recovery: Supporting displaced workers

By Lori Mathison
Aug 11, 2020
June economic data: BC continues recovery from COVID-19
Economy & Policy

June economic data: BC continues recovery from COVID-19

By Aaron Aerts
Jul 22, 2020
Federal deficit to hit $343 billion from COVID-19 economic fallout
Economy & Policy

Federal deficit to hit $343 billion from COVID-19 economic fallout

By Aaron Aerts
Jul 9, 2020
CPABC: Bolstering B.C. business productivity key to economic recovery
Economy & Policy

CPABC: Bolstering B.C. business productivity key to economic recovery

Jun 26, 2020
Worst appears to be behind us with encouraging May economic data on BC’s COVID-19 recovery
Economy & Policy

Worst appears to be behind us with encouraging May economic data on BC’s COVID-19 recovery

By Aaron Aerts
Jun 19, 2020
BC’s economy: Full impact of COVID-19 still unknown as economy prepares to reopen
Economy & Policy

BC’s economy: Full impact of COVID-19 still unknown as economy prepares to reopen

By Aaron Aerts
May 13, 2020
BC’s road to recovery – Minimizing the economic fallout
Economy & Policy

BC’s road to recovery – Minimizing the economic fallout

By Aaron Aerts
May 7, 2020
BC’s economic outlook: Bleak now, brighter in the future
Economy & Policy

BC’s economic outlook: Bleak now, brighter in the future

By Aaron Aerts
Apr 15, 2020
Economic forecasts: COVID-19's impact expected to bring Canada, BC in recession
Economy & Policy

Economic forecasts: COVID-19's impact expected to bring Canada, BC in recession

By Aaron Aerts
Mar 30, 2020
Economic forecast uncertain, but COVID-19 containment can bring hope
Economy & Policy

Economic forecast uncertain, but COVID-19 containment can bring hope

By Aaron Aerts
Mar 25, 2020
CPABC: B.C.’s Budget 2020 Introduces New Measures to Maintain Balanced Budget and Affordability
Economy & Policy

CPABC: B.C.’s Budget 2020 Introduces New Measures to Maintain Balanced Budget and Affordability

Feb 19, 2020
Moderate Economic Growth to Continue into 2020
Economy & Policy

Moderate Economic Growth to Continue into 2020

By Vivian Tse
Nov 5, 2019
Walking on water, living the life
Economy & Policy

Walking on water, living the life

By Anne McMullin
Apr 18, 2019
Affordability key to BC Budget 2019
Economy & Policy

Affordability key to BC Budget 2019

By Vivian Tse
Feb 21, 2019
Why modular housing can be one key solution to housing affordability
Economy & Policy

Why modular housing can be one key solution to housing affordability

By Anne McMullin
Feb 13, 2019
Ensuring B.C.’s business competitiveness
Economy & Policy

Ensuring B.C.’s business competitiveness

By Lori Mathison
Nov 27, 2018
B.C. exporters should take advantage of Canada’s trade agreements
Economy & Policy

B.C. exporters should take advantage of Canada’s trade agreements

By Lori Mathison
Oct 22, 2018
Temperature check: BC’s economic activity expected to cool down slightly
Economy & Policy

Temperature check: BC’s economic activity expected to cool down slightly

By Lori Mathison
May 7, 2018
GDPR: What European privacy regulations mean for Canadian businesses
Economy & Policy

GDPR: What European privacy regulations mean for Canadian businesses

By Kate Furber
Feb 8, 2018
Bridging the gap – Skills vs. needs
Economy & Policy

Bridging the gap – Skills vs. needs

By Lori Mathison
Dec 13, 2017
Skills Training: An Essential for Employees & Entrepreneurs
Economy & Policy

Skills Training: An Essential for Employees & Entrepreneurs

By Ray Walia
Nov 29, 2017
A quiet crisis – youth employment
Economy & Policy

A quiet crisis – youth employment

By Paulina Cameron
Oct 25, 2017
High cost of living impacts business competitiveness
Economy & Policy

High cost of living impacts business competitiveness

By Lori Mathison
Sep 18, 2017

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