The Province of British Columbia ended the fiscal year with a smaller deficit than forecast thanks to lower spending and stronger economic growth that improved revenues, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced with the release of the 2010-11 Public Accounts.

"Better economic conditions and our prudent approach to spending mean we've been able to close the deficit gap considerably, ending the year with a deficit of $309 million and keeping us well on course to balance the budget in 2013-14 as planned," said Falcon. "We committed to protecting core services in health and education while managing government spending. This commitment helps keep our budget plan on track and reduces the debt we need to take on to fund public services."

The provincial economy grew by four per cent in 2010, according to preliminary data from Statistics Canada, third among provinces and better than the national average rate of 3.3 per cent. Retail sales, an indicator of consumer confidence, increased by 5.3 per cent in 2010. Exports of goods and services from British Columbia grew 15.3 per cent in 2010 despite the slow recovery of the US economy and a strong Canadian dollar.

"We've seen stronger economic growth in B.C. suggesting consumer confidence has remained strong under the HST," said Falcon. "This demonstrates our fiscal plan is working and we will continue to take a cautious approach to spending."

The audited financial statements show the Province ended the fiscal year with a deficit of $309 million. Total revenues increased $2.46 billion from 2009-10. Tax revenue increased by $1.1 billion, primarily reflecting growth across the economy. Corporate income tax revenue increased by $341 million. Federal government contributions increased by more than $1 billion over last year.

Social services tax and the hotel room tax were replaced by the harmonized sales tax on July 1, 2010. Social services tax revenue for the year was $1.33 billion and harmonized sales tax revenue totalled $4.176 billion.

Spending on programs and services increased $903 million, or 2.3 per cent over the previous year, primarily in health and education. In 2010-11, the Province increased total spending on health by $635 million, or 4.1 per cent; education spending increased by $111 million; and social services spending by $19 million. All other program spending increased by $138 million. Control of operating expense is a cornerstone of government's plan to balance the budget by 2013-14.

Taxpayer-supported capital spending was $4.1 billion for improvements to education and health-care facilities and other capital infrastructure in 2010-11, up from $3.7 billion in 2009-10.

Total provincial debt increased by $3.3 billion to $45.2 billion. This includes taxpayer-supported provincial debt, which increased $1.9 billion in 2010-11 to finance capital infrastructure and support working capital requirements for programs and initiatives, and self-supported debt, which increased $1.4 billion. The increase in taxpayer-supported debt was approximately $2 billion less than forecast in Budget 2010 due to lower requirements for capital spending and the reduced deficit. The ratio of taxpayer-supported debt to GDP, a key measure of affordability, is stable at 15.8 per cent compared to last year's 15.7 per cent.

British Columbia continues to maintain a strong credit rating with all three major credit rating agencies. Following the February 2011 budget, Dominion Bond Rating Service affirmed the province at a rating of AA(high), while Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Services Inc. affirmed the Province's rating of triple-A-their highest possible ratings.

"This is more evidence that our efforts to set the stage for growth and prosperity in B.C. since the economic downturn are paying off," said Falcon. "We've created a competitive tax environment and contributed to economic growth by investing in capital projects, while continuing to provide quality health care, education and social services for British Columbians. And our prudent approach continues to be recognized by key domestic and international credit rating agencies."

While results were better than expected, there are still risks the government does not control, including fluctuating commodity prices, the uncertain outcome of the Harmonized Sales Tax referendum, and the slower than expected recovery in the United States.

The Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act requires a 20 per cent ministerial salary holdback for all members of cabinet to ensure ministries operate within their own budgets and government meets its overall financial commitment. As the government posted a deficit for 2010-11, cabinet members will not receive one-half of their holdback. All ministers achieved their individual ministry fiscal targets and will receive the other half of their salary holdback. The Ministerial Accountability Report, released today, outlines the specific financial targets ministers must achieve to receive their ministerial salary holdback.

The government's fiscal plan continues to project deficits in 2011-12 and 2012-13, before returning to balanced budgets by the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Online versions of the public accounts and related documents can be found at the following link: www.fin.gov.bc.ca/ocg.htm

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Matt Gordon
Communications Director
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821

Public Accounts for 2010-11 fiscal year

Deficit

The Province ended the 2010-11 fiscal year with a deficit of $309 million, $1,406 million lower than forecast in Budget 2010. The 2010-11 fiscal year is the second of four years in which the government anticipates posting a deficit, before returning to balanced budgets by 2013-14.

Economic Growth

British Columbia's economy grew by four (4.0) per cent in the 2010 calendar year, which is better than the national average rate of growth of 3.3 per cent, according to preliminary data from Statistics Canada.

Revenue

Provincial revenue totalled $39,926 million in 2010-11, an increase of $2,458 million over 2009-10, primarily due to higher tax revenue and contributions from the federal government. These increases were offset by decreases in the net earnings of self-supported Crown corporations and investment income.

Tax revenue increased by $1,095 million (6 per cent) over 2009-10. Corporate income tax increased by $341 million over 2009-10 and property tax increased by $33 million, offset by a decrease in personal income tax of $168 million over 2009-10.

Social services tax and the hotel room tax were replaced by the harmonized sales tax on July 1, 2010. Social services tax for the year was $1,330 million and harmonized sales tax was $4,176 million.

Contributions from the federal government increased by $1,080 million over the previous year, including a one-time transfer of $769 million in HST transition funding.

Natural resource revenues increased by $81 million (three per cent) from 2009-10 to 2010-11. Petroleum, natural gas and mineral royalties increased by $55 million and forest revenues increased by $50 million (13 per cent) over 2009-10. Other natural resource revenues decreased slightly by $24 million compared to 2009-10.

Expense

Operating expenses totalled $40,235 million in 2010-11, an increase of $903 million or 2.3 per cent over 2009-10.

Total health expenditures increased by $635 million, or 4.1 per cent over 2009-10. Education spending increased by $111 million or one (1.0) per cent. Spending on social programs increased by $19 million, or 0.6 per cent over the previous year. Expenditures for health, education and social services represented approximately 76 per cent of the Province's total operating costs in 2010-11.

Debt

Total provincial debt, the most commonly used measure of debt, was $45,154 million in 2010-11. Debt increased $3,269 million over 2009-10. This increase was due to increased borrowing to fund capital projects and working capital requirements.

The taxpayer supported debt to GDP ratio, a key measure of affordability, was 15.8 per cent in 2010-11. This compares to 15.7 per cent in 2009-10, 13.4 per cent in 2008-09, 13.8 per cent in 2007-08, and is down from 21.3 per cent in 2002-03.

British Columbia continues to maintain one of the strongest credit rating among Canadian provinces. Standard and Poor's and Moody's Investment Services each rate the province triple A, the highest-possible rating, while Dominion Bond Rating Service rates the province AA(high).

Capital Spending

The Province's total capital stock reached a value of $35,469 million in fiscal 2010-11. Taxpayer spending on capital of $4,113 million was offset by amortization and disposals totalling $2,042 million. The net capital investment to build and upgrade schools, universities, colleges, hospitals, roads, bridges and other infrastructure needed to deliver programs and services was $2,050 million in 2010-11, $1,685 million in 2009-10, $1,918 million in 2008-09, and $1,937 million in 2007-08. In total, government's net annual investment in capital has increased by $7,916 million since 2006-07.

Contact:

Matt Gordon
Communications Director
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821