BC Prosperity | Page 2 | Fraser Institute

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Worrying Trends in BC’s Testing of Grade 10 Students

— Jan 11, 2022

Worrying Trends in BC’s Testing of Grade 10 Students

Worrying Trends in BC’s Testing of Grade 10 Students finds that in 2019/20 only 40 per cent of Grade 10 students in British Columbia scored proficient or above in numeracy and only 75 per cent scored proficient or above in literacy.

The Implications of an Aging Population for Government Finances in British Columbia

— Nov 23, 2021

The Implications of an Aging Population for Government Finances in British Columbia

The Implications of an Aging Population for Government Finances in British Columbia is a new study that finds health-care expenditures in the province will increase by an estimated 4.2 per cent annually (on average) over the next 20 years, and as a result of British Columbia’s changing demographics, the province may not balance its budget until at least 2040 unless it makes changes to its spending.

Recent BC Prosperity Commentaries and Blog Posts

B.C. government paves way for historic run-up in debt

Ben Eisen, Tegan Hill

The province's debt-to-GDP ratio will climb to a projected 22.5 per cent in 2025.

High spending triggers avalanche of debt in B.C.

Ben Eisen, Tegan Hill

Appeared in Business in Vancouver, March 13, 2023

The province's annual debt interest payments will increase by 45 per cent between 2022 and 2025.

B.C. ramps up spending and increases size of government

Public-sector capital investment is pegged at $48.5 billion over the next three years.

Premier Eby fails to learn from mistakes of predecessor in first budget

Jake Fuss, Tegan Hill

The province will run a $4.2 billion operating budget deficit in 2023/24.

B.C. lags behind neighbours on key measure of economic well-being

Appeared in Business in Vancouver, February 28, 2023

Oregon's per-person GDP was 20 per cent higher than in B.C.

B.C. government should help create genuine ‘growth’ and reduce taxes

Tegan Hill, Ben Eisen

The province now has the fourth-highest top personal income tax rate in Canada and the United States.

B.C. government must rein in spending in upcoming budget to avoid big runup in debt

Tegan Hill, Ben Eisen

An unexpected boost in revenues temporarily forestalled rapid debt growth.

B.C. government faces clear choice in upcoming budget

Appeared in the Surrey Now-Leader, February 24, 2023

After six consecutive years of surpluses, the government ran operating deficits in 2019 and 2020.

B.C. has lowest median employment earnings in the region

The province's lagging underscores the need for pro-growth policy reform.

High income taxes make B.C. less attractive and productive

Ben Eisen, Jake Fuss

Appeared in the Surrey Now-Leader, February 3, 2023

The province's top combined income tax rate increased from 43.7 per cent to 53.5 per cent.

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

Associate 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