N.B. government tables $13.3 billion budget with no tax cuts, holds steady on spending
The Blaine Higgs government has tabled a $13.3-billion budget, with a $41 million surplus, increasing spending by 6.4 per cent.
It includes $3.8 billion for health care, and $1.9 billion for education.
New Brunswick’s net debt now sits at $12.7 billion. The department of finance is projecting real GDP growth of 0.7 per cent this year.
There are no tax cuts or major spending projects, and the Department of Health’s budget is only increasing by about $1.7 million, compared to actual expenditures last year.
Finance Minister Ernie Steeves says more has been budgeted for health in the 2024/25 fiscal year than ever before – a 38 per cent increase since 2018/19.
However, the department of health spent $212 million more last year than what was originally budgeted. This year’s budget includes that spending into its estimates, and Steeves said it’s mostly considered new spending since they won’t have to spend as much on travel nursing contracts.
Physicians, nurses and other health-care workers were asking for an increase of almost $600 million in the department’s budget, calling for the need to create 50 more team-based primary care clinics across the province.
The budget does set aside $20 million “to expand collaborative practices in primary health care.”
It also includes $22.9 million to improve digital initiatives to modernize New Brunswick’s health-care system.
Horizon and Vitalite health networks will receive $70 million more to “ease pressures” and help stabilize their systems. Steeves also says they’ll be offering an incentive program to fill hard to recruit health-care positions, but didn’t specify what that would look like, or how much that program will cost.
Personal support workers in long-term care, group homes, community residences and family support will see a wage increase, costing the province $29.7 million.
New Brunswick's 2024-25 budget is pictured. (Laura Brown/CTV Atlantic)
Those on social assistance under the Transitional Assistance Program and the Extended Benefits Program will see an increase of 3.8 per cent.
The New Brunswick Housing Corporation will also get a budget boost of $68.9 million more to continue the work of the housing strategy, which was released last year.
The department of education is seeing a boost in its budget, which will increase by about $200 million. That includes $18.6 million to “address challenges resulting from enrolment growth,” and $24.3 million to cover increases in energy and transportation costs.
Steeves hasn’t ruled out changes, or even tax cuts, later in the year – but said this budget sets the course for now.
New Brunswick’s fixed election date is Oct. 21.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.