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B.C.'s NDP government says poverty remains a reality for many people in the province despite a stronger-than-expected budget surplus in the last fiscal year.

Public accounts released Tuesday show the province ended 2016-17 with a surplus of $2.7-billion thanks to a bigger-than-expected jump in revenues.

Finance Minister Carole James says struggling British Columbians haven't been seeing the benefits of the strong economy but some of the key spending decisions by her government will be reflected in next month's financial update before a full budget is released in February.

Liberal finance critic Shirley Bond says the NDP still hasn't released a plan on how to keep B.C.'s economy growing to ensure it doesn't end up going on a one-time spending spree the province can't afford.