B.C. may lose economic growth title

An economic think-tank predicts 2017 will see British Columbia lose its bragging rights as the province with the fastestgrowing economy.

The Conference Board of Canada said Alberta will take over top spot with growth of 2.8 per cent, thanks to rebounding oil prices.

In a report Thursday, the board forecast real gross domestic product in B.C. would grow by a respectable 1.9 per cent, although that marks a significant drop from average growth above three per cent recorded over the past three years.

The conference board said B.C. was taking a hit from the housing market slowdown, but was still poised to see employment growth of 1.2 per cent this year.