Prince Edward Island predicts a $98.6 million deficit in 2023-2024
The Prince Edward Island government released a fiscal and economic update Wednesday, projecting a larger deficit than expected in the 2023 operating budget.
The deficit is predicted to be $98.6 million, which is an increase of $1 million since the release of the budget in May.
The report, which is prepared by the Department of Finance, states provincial revenues have grown by $25.7 million, primarily due to increases in tax revenues and federal transfers.
However, expenditures are forecasted to increase by more than $26 million, which is largely being attributed to an anticipated uptake for energy efficiency programs and costs associated with an increase in caseloads for social programs.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
According to a news release from the province, P.E.I. leads the country in growth in several key economic areas, such as:
- employment
- retail sales
- manufacturing shipments
- international exports
“Continued strong population growth, a late-in-the-year rebound in construction activity, combined with the solid performance in the rest of the economy, is fueling economic growth in 2023,” reads the release.
SIGNS OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Finance Minister Jill Burridge says the economic update is welcome news, as it “shows signs of economic recovery.”
“Between targeted supports government introduced to assist with affordability, and more Islanders supporting local, we continue to see positive impacts for our province as a whole,” said Burridge in the release.
The province saw a boost in tourism, according to the report, with increases in bridge and air traffic and motorcoach tours, as well as a record-breaking cruise ship season. However, there was a decrease in ferry traffic, after a series of mechanical failures on the MV Confederation caused a weeks-long disruption in service.
The report highlights significant challenges to economic growth, but states certain advantages should allow the economy to continue to expand, such as:
- population growth
- labour demand
- wage increases
- inflation moderation
- carbon pricing rebates
- economic diversification
For more Prince Edward Island news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Milton increases to a Category 4 hurricane as Florida prepares for massive evacuations
Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 4 storm, and Florida could see dangerous storm surge, forecasters say.
DEVELOPING Police in several cities to increase presence ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary
On the anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks in Israel, police departments in cities across Canada are increasing their presence in Jewish and Muslim communities, as well as at the locations of planned protests.
Lawyers for Madeleine McCann suspect seek acquittal in his German trial on unrelated sexual offence charges
Lawyers for a man who is also under investigation in the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann called on Monday for him to be acquitted in his trial on charges of unrelated sexual offences.
Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, dead at 63
Christopher Ciccone, a multihyphenate artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna, has died. He was 63.
Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa
A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.
Man arrested after stealing Vancouver police cruiser, driving it into neighbourhood park
A man stole a police car and drove it onto the field of an East Vancouver park Sunday morning, placing 'dozens of bystanders in harm’s way,' according to police.
War rages on multiple fronts as Israel marks a year since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack
Israelis held sombre ceremonies on Monday to mark a year since the deadliest attack in the country's history, a Hamas-led raid that shattered its sense of security and ignited wars on two fronts with no end in sight.
Timeline: What has happened in Canada since Oct. 7, 2023
The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters on Israel last year, and the immediate Israeli retaliation that followed, sent shockwaves throughout the world that have shaken Canada culturally and politically.
The Menendez brothers case is not the only one that's been affected by a true crime documentary
Being an armchair detective has turned into an American obsession, fueled by an abundance of true-crime content in podcasts and television series. But some of those projects have sparked actual legal developments.