New Brunswick Finance Minister Ernie Steeves poses with his 2024-25 budget in Fredericton on Monday, March 18, 2024. Steeves will release the budget in the legislature today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray
FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservative government is set to table its final budget before voters head to the polls later this year in the provincial election.
Liberal Leader Susan Holt says she hopes today’s budget focuses on health care and on the rising cost of living, and includes money for a fully funded school food program.
Green Leader David Coon says he, too, wants a universal lunch program in schools, and more money for health care.
Finance Minister Ernie Steeves estimated in his economic update in February that the province would end the fiscal year with a surplus of $247.4 million, up from $40.3 million forecast in last year’s budget, and total projected revenues of $12.7 billion.
The government had said during the last budget session that while New Brunswick was enjoying a wave of population growth, it came with challenges of providing housing, health care and education for newcomers.
The next provincial election must be held on or before Oct. 21.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2024.
