The speculation and vacancy tax is helping turn empty units into homes and creating affordable housing in communities throughout the province, new data confirms.

Taking action to tackle some of the biggest challenges people in B.C. are facing was at the centre of several new pieces of legislation passed during the fall session, including the most significant housing legislation in B.C. history to deliver more homes for people faster.

British Columbia’s economic and fiscal plan remains stable in the face of a slowing global economy and high interest rates as the Second Quarterly Report forecasts a lower deficit than in the previous fiscal update.

As part of work underway to deliver more homes for people faster, the Province has introduced new legislation to reduce construction delays and streamline processes to fund key services, infrastructure and amenities for growing communities.

Three years after work began, the conversion to a modern four-lane highway of the last two-lane section of the Trans-Canada Highway in the Kicking Horse Canyon east of Golden is nearing completion.