VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – The forecast for BC’s economic growth has barely changed.  A council of 14 non-governmental economists predicts a growth of 2.2 per cent this year, unchanged from their November outlook.

The BC Economic Forecast Council lowered its forecast for next year by one-tenth of a point to 2.6 per cent.  Growth predictions worldwide have been trimmed since last year, largely because of the European debt crisis.

Finance Minister Kevin Falcon still predicts the government will balance its budget in 2013-2014.  “We are focused on controlling our spending and protecting our revenues.”

“We have seen some stabilization in the US economy, especially regarding employment and fourth-quarter real GDP, but we still need to be prudent to protect ourselves from an uncertain global economy, including the European debt crisis.”