BC Prosperity | Page 2 | Fraser Institute

Who was Barbara Mitchell?

Measuring British Columbia's Prosperity Gap at the Metropolitan Level

— Nov 7, 2023

Measuring British Columbia's Prosperity Gap at the Metropolitan Level

Measuring British Columbia’s Prosperity Gap at the Metropolitan Level finds that the median income for workers in Seattle dwarfs the median income for workers in Vancouver, underscoring a general prosperity gap between B.C. and its regional neighbours.

Spending Growth Is the Cause of BC’s Coming Debt Boom

— Aug 10, 2023

Spending Growth Is the Cause of BC’s Coming Debt Boom

Spending Growth is the Cause of BC’s Coming Debt Boom is a new study that finds from 2000-2017 per person program spending in BC increased by 8.4 per cent (adjusted for inflation), but more recently, and in a much shorter time period from 2017 to 2022—even excluding COVID spending—per person spending increased by 25.9 per cent.

British Columbia Premiers and Provincial Government Spending

— Feb 14, 2023

British Columbia Premiers and Provincial Government Spending

British Columbia Premiers and Provincial Government Spending is a new study that reviews annual per-person program spending (inflation-adjusted) by British Columbia premiers from 1965 to 2021, and finds that the highest single year of per-person spending on record was under Premier John Horgan in 2021, even excluding COVID-related spending.

Measuring British Columbia’s Prosperity Gap

— Jan 31, 2023

Measuring British Columbia’s Prosperity Gap

Measuring British Columbia’s Prosperity Gap finds that, among eight peer jurisdictions (including Alberta and Washington State), B.C. in 2019 had the lowest median employment income, a key indicator of economic well-being.

The End of Spending Restraint in British Columbia

— Jan 4, 2023

The End of Spending Restraint in British Columbia

The End of Spending Restraint in British Columbia finds that after a long period of relative spending restraint, the B.C. government significantly increased spending—even before any COVID-related spending began.

British Columbia's Growing Tax Competitiveness Problem

— Nov 1, 2022

British Columbia's Growing Tax Competitiveness Problem

BC's Tax Competitiveness Problem is Growing over Time is a new study that finds British Columbia now has the 4th highest top Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate in Canada or the United States at 53.5 per cent—only 1.3 per cent lower than Newfoundland and Labrador, the highest rated jurisdiction in both the US and Canada.

Recent BC Prosperity Commentaries and Blog Posts

Unelected premier driving B.C. government finances into the ground

Appeared in Business in Vancouver, May 17, 2024

This year the province will spend a projected $4.1 billion on debt interest costs.

British Columbians right to worry about secretive rushed approach to Aboriginal title

Mary MacGregor, Jock Finlayson

The legislation will implement an agreement with the Haida Nation to recognize Aboriginal title over the Haida Gwaii archipelago.

B.C.’s credit downgrades reflect government’s spending and debt binge

Tegan Hill, Jake Fuss

Appeared in Business in Vancouver, April 15, 2024

The government plans to overspend by $11.2 billion relative to its 2023 budget plan.

B.C. government maintains high tax rates despite prosperity gap in region

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

Appeared in the Vancouver Sun, April 10, 2024

The province had the fourth-highest top combined income tax rate among 61 Canadian and U.S. jurisdictions.

Alberta and B.C. budgets represent two different approaches to government finances

Grady Munro, Tegan Hill

According to projections, government debt interest will cost nearly $1,000 per British Columbian by 2026/27.

B.C. government sparks debt explosion with far-reaching consequences

Tegan Hill, Jason Clemens

From 2019-20 to 2024-25, the government increased program spending by more than 50 per cent.

B.C. government accelerates EV transition while consumers and carmakers hit the brakes

Kenneth P. Green

Appeared in True North, March 13, 2024

Automakers are slowing down EV production plans and warning they see slower sales ahead.

B.C.’s day of ‘debt’ reckoning has arrived

Appeared in National Newswatch, March 7, 2024

The province forecasts huge deficits in each of the next four fiscal years.

B.C. budget spells disaster for province’s finances

Appeared in Business in Vancouver, February 29, 2024

The province's net debt will reach a projected $129 billion by 2026/27—nearly triple the pre-pandemic level in 2019/20.

B.C. government projects massive debt accumulation—and British Columbians will pay the price

Tegan Hill, Jake Fuss

The government plans to overspend by $11.2 billion relative to its 2023 budget plan.

BC Prosperity Research Experts

John Chant

Professor Emeritus of Economics, Simon Fraser University
Ben Eisen

Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
Joel Emes

Senior Economist, Fraser Institute
Jock Finlayson

Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
Jake Fuss

Director, Fiscal Studies, Fraser Institute
Lydia Miljan

Professor of Political Science, University of Windsor
Milagros Palacios

Director, Addington Centre for Measurement, Fraser Institute
Niels Veldhuis

President, Fraser Institute