'We still have work to do': BC close to reopening economy but a long way from normal

British Columbia Premier John Horgan addressed the province Wednesday afternoon, with the talk revolving around the state of BC's economy.

Horgan explained that the province is trying to get the economy back to normal as soon as possible, though the COVID-19 pandemic still has most sectors a ways away from reopening.

"Why I've resisted, as other provinces have done, laying out programs late in April for some time in the distant future is, when people start to see government loosen the restrictions, they assume that it's game on, that's the green light to proceed to regular activity," said Horgan. "That is not the case, we still have work to do in British Columbia."

"Dr. Henry will be tabling the results of her modelling next week, we will take that to cabinet, and that will form the final determination of how our restart will begin. So I am not announcing today that our economy will go back to 60, 70, 80% of normal, I'm announcing today that we're very close to that, and we also have the advantage that we did not shut down every sector as some provinces did. I think people need to take the message away today, that we have work to do."

Horgan added that the BC State of Emergency would be extended for another two weeks. He noted that a commitment to staying home, not going to work when sick, and social distancing has put BC further ahead than other provinces.

"British Columbians have made great progress, we are the envy of the country. I am involved in conference calls with other premiers and the Prime Minister on a regular basis and every single call focuses on how well we are doing here in British Columbia. They say 'well done John,' and I say, 'no it's not about me, it's about the people of BC who put the interest of all of us ahead of their personal interests.'"

Horgan gave credit to the province's restaurant sector who continues to fight the best they can through the unfortunate predicament. He mentioned BC's "dynamic workforce," adding that the good people would make restarting much simpler.

"We do continue to have a dynamic, diverse workforce, multilingual, multicultural, we have a tech sector that is extraordinary, we have a film and television sector that can, I believe, come back more quickly than other places because of the good work of British Columbians keeping our curve on the growing number of confirmed cases to a minimum."

Horgan went on to say he expects the economy to take a hit in 2020, but 2021 could be nothing but prosperous.

"Certainly, the indicators are dark for the foreseeable future, but those same projections for the restriction of our economy in 2020 show a robust rebound in 2021. Some 6% growth rate projected from British Columbia for most of the private sector forecasters. So I'm looking to the horizon, hopefully, we can endure this difficult time and that's why we're joining with the federal government putting in place programs to help people get through this difficult period with significant stimulus."

"If it were just British Columbia seeing these constraints in the economy and the reduction in growth, that would be one thing, but it is everywhere in the world that is seeing these same negative numbers. Although we have quality wood products and a whole host of other things that the world has been buying from us for a long, long time, the world has stopped buying, British Columbians have stopped buying, so therefore we're going to see a reduction in economic growth."

A plan is expected to be put in place next week to outline how the province will recover from the pandemic.