N.S. Progressive Conservatives project Year 1 election promises at $553 million
Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservatives released their election platform Thursday, projecting $553 million in new spending during their first year in office to fulfil campaign promises, mostly for the health-care sector.
The new spending would increase this year's estimated provincial deficit of $584 million but the bulk of the added cost would appear in the 2022-23 budget, Leader Tim Houston told reporters during a campaign stop.
The chartered accountant added that his party would run deficits the following five years to pay for improving the health system.
"No one cuts their way out of an economic downturn," Houston said. "A failure to make the right investments could severely damage our health-care system and our economy."
The party's 130-page costed platform budgets $430 million in new spending for the health-care sector, including a pension plan for doctors, the extension of operating room hours on weekdays and 2,500 more long-term care beds.
Another $140 million would be spent his first year on a program allowing companies to pay lower taxes if they put the money toward workers' salaries, the Tory leader said.
The Progressive Conservatives say the cost of their promises will be partially offset by two new taxes on out-of-province property owners -- a deed-transfer tax and an absentee-owners tax -- which they say will bring in close to $149 million annually.
The leader said he is firmly committed to the promises, adding that political leaders who do not provide fully costed platforms erode the public's trust in the political system. Houston cited the Liberals' promise in the last campaign to ensure a family doctor for every Nova Scotian. Instead, he said, there are tens of thousands of citizens searching for a doctor.
"Nova Scotians are right to be cynical -- I don't blame them; I'm sick of it too," Houston said. "This platform we're talking about today is my word."
The NDP has been critical of the Tory pledge to allow companies to pay lower corporate taxes in return for increasing wages, having said it amounts to a tax cut for big business.
But Houston says the NDP's criticism is a false portrayal of the program because the companies would not be saving any money; rather, he says, companies would be redirecting some of the tax dollars directly to employees.
The Tories' pension plan for doctors would exempt contributions from new doctors during the first five years they practice. Doctors with five to 15 years' experience would contribute $10,000 annually -- which would be matched by the province -- and those who have worked 15 years or more would contribute $15,000. The pension plan would cost the province about $6 million a year.
Houston's party says higher salaries for doctors to aid recruitment and retention will cost about $56 million.
The Tories are also promising about $52 million in new spending on a variety of education programs, including restoring school boards that the Liberals abolished.
Houston's platform includes fertilization funding for couples struggling to conceive, a $500 tax credit for kids in sports, and a buy local program. The platform also increases the budgets for roads, including rural, gravel roads, by $44 million.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.