Economists predict slight rebound
VICTORIA — Finance Minister Selina Robinson says she’s encouraged by predictions that British Columbia’s economy will rebound this year and next.
Robinson heard Friday from economists on the province’s Economic Forecast Council who estimate B.C. is on track for real GDP growth of 4.7% this year and 4.3% next year, before growth slows.
The same measurement for the provincial economy in 2020 shows a 5.1% decline, the worst contraction since 1980.
The council of economists from major financial institutions warns that the strength of recovery depends heavily on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and stimulus plans in the United States, a key trade partner.
Robinson also heard the recovery won’t be felt evenly, with certain hard-hit industries and low wage earners tending to suffer the greatest ongoing impacts of the pandemic.
The minister says the next B.C. budget will focus on continuing to support British Columbians through the emergency of the pandemic while investing in the future.
“We can see the light at the end but we’re still in the tunnel,” Robinson says.
NEW YORK — It’s a promotion that could be straight out of the “Mad Men” Don Draper playbook.
Brooklyn’s famed Peter Luger steakhouse has teamed with Madame Tussauds to have celebrity wax figures mingle with patrons, promoting the easing of coronavirus pandemic restrictions on indoor dining in
New York City.
A wax Jon Hamm — known for his portrayal of ad executive Draper in the hit TV series — could be found at the restaurant’s bar Friday with a cocktail in hand. Other figures on loan from Madame Tussauds include Michael Strahan, Jimmy Fallon, Al Roker and Audrey Hepburn in Holly Golightly of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” mode.
Peter Luger “thought this would be a fun, safe way to fill some of the seats that need to remain empty as we continue to fight the pandemic,” said restaurant vice-president Daniel Turtel.
As of Friday, restaurants in the city were allowed to fill 35% of their indoor seats, up from 25% previously.
Peter Luger, in business for more than 130 years, will keep the mannequins until Monday. After that, they’ll return to the recently reopened Madame Tussauds in midtown Manhattan.