James announced last year she would be leaving elected office after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease but has agreed to help Horgan's government when needed.

Great leadership can inspire us to achieve and accomplish things once seemed unattainable.

The plan is largely being seen as Premier John Horgan's potential election platform if he decides to send voters to the polls this fall.

British Columbia is forecasting a $12.8-billion deficit for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The financial update presented by Finance Minister Carole James on Tuesday is the first look British Columbians have had at the provincial coffers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

British Columbia's Finance Minister is expected to paint a bleak picture of the economy on Tuesday, more than four months after the global COVID-19 pandemic started.

After three straight months of climbing unemployment rates, British Columbia's economy has shown some signs of improving.

"We are making sure people and business have the support they need, while we work together to restart and rebuild an economy that works for everyone," Finance Minister Carole James said.

Finance Minister Carole James told reporters on Monday the province wants to wait until July to get another month of job and financial numbers.

Previously, the B.C. government announced it will protect commercial tenants from being evicted due to nonpayment of rent under the COVID-19 pandemic when the landlord hasn’t applied for the federal rent supplement.