Nova Scotia budget expected to focus on health care, cost of living
![Allan MacMaster Finance and Treasury Board Minister Allan MacMaster is pictured during a press conference in Halifax on Thursday, March 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/2/29/allan-macmaster-1-6788783-1709203358670.jpg)
Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative government will today table its third budget since being elected in August 2021.
The past two budgets have focused heavily on bolstering the province's ailing health-care system, and Finance Minister Allan MacMaster says that focus will remain.
Premier Tim Houston says health-care spending accounted for about $4.5 billion when the government came to power, and that figure will be closer to $6 billion when the 2024-25 budget is tabled today.
The premier announced Wednesday that the budget would include $7.2 million for diabetes care.
MacMaster says there will also be help for people struggling with the rising cost of living, but he wouldn't be specific about the measures planned.
Last spring's budget forecast a $278.9-million deficit, and a fiscal update by MacMaster in December projected that increased tax revenue from a growing population had trimmed that figure to $264.3 million.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 29, 2024.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.4972530.1591455178!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Prince William made $42 million from his newly inherited estate last year, reports show
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
WATCH LIVE 'Sick to my stomach': People grieve Jasper National Park by sharing favourite photos
As an out-of-control wildfire roared through Alberta’s famed Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday, many are fearing the worst as officials warned of 'significant loss' within the area.
LIVE UPDATES 'Hopefully it's better than what we're thinking': Jasper wildfire damage details anxiously awaited
Officials are waiting to learn Thursday morning the extent of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite of Jasper National Park, which flames began to eat away at the night before.
Canadian women's soccer team staffer given suspended prison sentence over drone incident, prosecutor says
A Canada women's soccer team staffer has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence after flying a drone to film the closed-door training session of the New Zealand team on Monday, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government
The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is 'being readied for sale,' according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.
WATCH LIVE Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.