New Brunswick's $1-billion capital budget targets roads, school and hospital upgrades
The New Brunswick government has tabled a $1-billion capital budget for 2023-24 that is $152.3 million more than contained in a multi-year plan released last year.
Finance Minister Ernie Steeves says the projected five-year capital spend reflects the needs associated with a growing population and costs due to high inflation.
The plan includes $110.2 million to improve infrastructure at public schools, an increase of 41.9 per cent over the plan released last year.
Steeves says the money will help with an influx of nearly 4,000 students at the province's schools this year.
Another $50 million will go toward maintenance and improvements in nursing homes, with the bulk of that funding - $33 million - to build affordable public housing.
Meanwhile, $477.4 million is going towards the maintenance and improvement of highways, roads and bridges with another $176 million for upgrades and equipment at hospitals.
Much of the health spending will go towards renovations at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, the Saint John Regional Hospital and the Moncton Hospital.
As well, space will be renovated at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton to create the New Brunswick Public Health Laboratory.
Steeves said the new lab will be able to process all lab specimens while conducting public health monitoring and investigations.
"New Brunswick has entered a period of growth, and this represents a challenge and an opportunity to build on the progress we have made," Steeves said in a news release. "This five-year capital plan addresses inflationary pressures, recognizes labour and materials shortages, and invests in areas where demand is on the rise."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.