Fitch Rtgs affirmed Prov. of British.........>

CANADA: Fitch Rtgs affirmed Prov. of British Columbia's Long-Term Foreign and

Local Curr Issuer Default Rtgs 'AAA', Short-Term IDR 'F1+'. Fitch affirmed sr

unsecured lg-,short-term debt 'AAA' and 'F1+', respectively; outlook stable."

- It cited "broad economy" and "steady growth" as BC's "diverse economy

continues its steady pace of economic growth, ahead of most other provinces.

Labor mkt conditions remain solid, and the recently elected provincial govt is

forecasting modest GDP growth, albeit at below pre-recession rates. Prudently,

the govt's updated fiscal plan (Budget 2017 Update) includes expense

contingencies and forecast allowances around cautious economic forecasts to

ensure the provincial budget remains balanced."

- It said BC's "updated 3-yr fiscal plan in Sept" maintains "balanced budgets

with modest surpluses for fiscals 2018-20." It said debt burden still "elevated

but manageable with operating debt projected to be fully retired by fiscal 2020.

The govt projects taxpayer-supported debt-to-GDP will increase modestly through

updated 3-yr fiscal plan;" risk on "expected growth of self-supporting debt cd

pose potentl rtg pressure" if "funded projects require general govt support."