B.C. maintained budget surplus for 2017-18, despite increased spending on wildfires

VICTORIA — British Columbia maintained its budget surplus in the last fiscal year even though it boosted spending on government programs by almost $3 billion and covered significant expenses from disastrous wildfires in 2017.
Finance Minister Carole James said the government reduced its debt and achieved a balanced budget despite historic losses at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.
James said regardless of what it will cost to fight fires, there is money in the budget.
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