Both revenues and expenses are up in latest B.C. financial documents

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s budget bottom line has been refined as revenues improve, but expenses go even higher in the government’s latest quarterly report.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong has downgraded the government’s budget surplus forecast to $136 million, from the $197 million projected last February.

The minister says revenue projections improved by $69 million, due partially to higher taxation and natural resource revenues, but that extra cash is offset by $86 million in expenses for such items as fire fighting and flood prevention.

De Jong says the government’s forecast for taxpayer-supported debt is down $29 million, due primarily to changes in the timing of capital projects and reduced funding for other capital projects.

The government is still projecting a balanced budget in February, but on a razor’s edge.

The province also released its 2014 budget consultation paper, asking residents in B.C. to rank their preferences for priorities for the balanced budget next year.