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New Brunswick budget 2011-2012

The provincial government releases the 2011-2012 budget on March 22, 2011

  • Paul McLaughlin finds out what New Brunswickers are expecting from the upcoming provincial budget. Mar 21

  • Global Maritimes reporter Mayya Assouad has just left the budget lock-up. Stay logged on for updates and tune into the Evening News at 6 for Mayya's full report.
  • My #nbbudget prediction? Higgs will stay on track with the 2% reduction and increase some fees and gax tax. #nbpoli
  • Debt-burdened New Brunswick faces tough budget

    Riding into the premier’s office on a wave of populist anger over the proposed sale of NB Power, David Alward promised consultation and stability, a relief from the game-changing boldness attempted by the Liberals he replaced.

    But Mr. Alward’s Progressive Conservative government must now find its own bold vision, tabling a first budget on Tuesday that will show how it plans to tackle the province’s crushing financial problems.

    “If we don’t do something soon we will be hitting the wall,” warned Donald Savoie, professor at the Université de Moncton and one of the region’s most respected voices on public policy. “I don’t think you and I can overstate the importance of the budget. Because if there’s no clear plan to address the fiscal situation, we’re looking at some major issues down the road.”

    The Globe and Mail

  • Taxpayers federation says gov't spending problem needs to be addressed on eve of budget

    FREDERICTON - It was ticking like a time bomb on the front steps of the legislature.

    As the David Alward government readies to release its first budget today, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation launched the Maritime leg of its national debt clock tour in Fredericton, with the message that New Brunswick needs to take action on the growing debt or risk going bankrupt.

    New Brunswick's total debt stands at $8.35 billion and the current budget deficit is $820 million.

    The New Brunswick debt is increasing by $2.3 million per day and almost $95,000 per hour.

    The clock illustrates just how fast the debt in New Brunswick is climbing.

    It was ticking yesterday at more than $9.1 billion.

    "People are surprised at how high the debt is and how quickly it climbs," said Kevin Lacey, the federation's Atlantic director. "I think the numbers are so staggering and I think there was a surprise here in New Brunswick about how large the deficit was and what the problems are that the province has to deal with.

    "When they see their money contributing to this debt it's worrying and they are really starting to demand balanced budgets, reform and they want to see this clock stopped."

    The oversized aluminum ticker pulled by a truck interchanges the federal debt load - now at more than $563 billion - and the debt of each province it travels through, both in a per second increase in the public debt and per person figure.

    The coast-to-coast tour left the west coast last month bringing with it a simple message: cut spending, balance the budget and stop this clock.

    Moncton Times & Trancript
  • As someone with MS, I'm glad my country has high standards in medicine...Please don't fund unproven MS treatment Mr. Alward! #nbpoli
  • Live stream from the legislature is now open.
  • Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says the New Brunswick government will cut the province’s deficit down to $448.8 million this fiscal year.
  • The Tories plan to reduce spending and across the board and increase taxes on fuel and tobacco, while N.B. Liquor will have to find a way to cut $10million from its spending.
  • Tobacco will now cost $1.31 more per pack, generating $25million in revenue. New Brunswickers will now pay 2.9 cents/litre more at the pumps, 2.3 cents more for diesel. Higgs anticipates this will bring in $44million in revenue.
  • Students will see an increase in bursaries, but the government will once again require a parental contribution in order to qualify for student loans.
  • Legislature approves the 2011-12 budget. Higgs rises to deliver his "new direction for New Brunswick."
  • #nbbudget PC gov't eliminating funds for Advisory Council on Status of Women; Provincial Capital Commission. #nbpoli
  • No catastrophic drug program for individuals struggling to cover the costs of treatment for serious illness, but the Tories will front a program to reduce the rate of diabetes in New Brusnwick.

    Last year, Dr. Ellish Cleary, the province's chief medical officer of health, released a report predicting one in 10 New Brunswickers would be living with diabetes by 2012-13.
  • Northern New Brunswick will see a $37million put toward a job creation strategy.
  • N.B. government slashes spending but hikes gas and cigarette taxes in new budget

    FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick government is slashing spending while hiking taxes on cigarettes and gas in an effort to correct the province's dire financial picture.

    The $8-billion budget includes a nearly $449-million deficit, but that's less than half the $1 billion deficit that Finance Minister Blaine Higgs said was possible last November.

    As of Wednesday, the tax on cigarettes goes up by $1.31 per pack, while the provincial tax on gasoline increases 2.9 cents a litre.

    The net debt is projected to hit $10.2 billion by next March or about $13,545 for every man, woman and child in the province.

    Income taxes will remain the same but a tax rate cut for high income earners that was promised by the previous government is cancelled.

    Higgs says there will be ongoing studies of such things as highway tolls and reducing the civil service in an effort to balance the budget by 2014-15.

    (The Canadian Press)
  • "The Dept. of Finance anticipates growth of 1.5 per cent.": Higgs
  • Highlights of New Brunswick's 2011-12 budget:

    - A deficit of $448.8 million is projected in an $8 billion spending program.

    - Net debt to reach $10.2 billion by March 2012, an increase of more than $630 million.

    - Share of the debt for every man, woman and child in New Brunswick is about $13,545.

    - The tobacco tax will be increased by 5.25 cents per cigarette to 17 cents per cigarette, or $1.31 per pack, effective at midnight, producing an estimated $25 million in additional revenue.

    - The provincial gasoline tax will increase by 2.9 cents a litre and diesel by 2.3 cents a litre, generating an extra $44 million in revenue.

    - No increase in personal income taxes but a cut in the tax rate for high income earners that was promised by the previous government is cancelled.

    - The general corporate tax rate will fall to 10 per cent in July and be frozen at that level, while the small business tax will be reduced from five per cent to 4.5 per cent.

    - Spending growth is cut by $220 million through initiatives in various departments and government agencies.

    - More than $30 million will be spent on job creation in northern New Brunswick.

    - The salaries of members of the legislature are frozen for the third consecutive year, and a hiring freeze on civil service jobs continues.

    - The operating grant to public universities is increasing by two per cent, and tuition increases for colleges and universities are capped at $200 per full-time student.

    - The government expects to save $1.6 million by reinstating the parental contribution for student financial assistance, which was eliminated four years ago.
  • No tax increases for ordinary NBers?? I guess no ordinary NBers own cars. #nbpoli
  • Higgs: "In the simplest terms, government is spending more on public services than it can afford"
  • "The government has issued a directive it will hold departments accountable for unnecessary spending"
  • "2010-11 debt is projected to increase by $1.235billion to a higher than expected total of $9.6billion."
  • Public engagement

    Higgs emphasized the public's input and assistance in helping to formulate the 2011-12 budget.

    A record number of New Brunswickers participated in this year's pre-budget consultations. Close to 3,000 submissions were received through the online questionnaire. About 1,500 participated via e-mail to Premier David Alward. More than 1,200 people and 260 stakeholders took part in the 20 public and stakeholder meetings held throughout New Brunswick. Additionally, hundreds of e-mailed suggestions and written submissions were sent to the premier and ministers.

    Some of the main items submitted by New Brunswickers were:

    ● health and senior care, education, economic development and job creation should continue to be key priorities;
    ● people want a balanced approach: spending should be reduced in concert with revenue increases to address the serious fiscal challenge;
    ● spending should be managed by reducing the overall size of government, streamlining administration, controlling wages and salaries, regionalizing services, avoiding unnecessary duplication and reducing grants and loans to business;
    ● revenue from sources such as tobacco and alcohol sales should be increased;
    ● highway tolls on major highways should be examined;
    ● all public sector pension benefit packages should be reviewed, including those of MLAs;
    ● the provincial government should return to a balanced budget in four years.
  • Managing spending growth and implementing efficiencies

    The 2011-12 budget outlines a series of ways the provincial government will make strategic investments while at the same time taking new efficiency measures to rein in spending and return to balanced budgets.

    Investments and initiatives include:

    ● establishing the $30-million Northern New Brunswick Job Creation Fund and the $7.1-million Miramichi Regional Job Creation Fund, which consists of both contributions and loans;
    ● initial funding for a mental health action plan to address the recommendations of the McKee Report;
    ● initial funding for a comprehensive diabetes strategy focusing on the prevention, detection and management of diabetes, including funding for insulin pumps and other essential supplies;
    ● initial funding for the establishment and administration of a patient assistance fund to provide support to persons with multiple sclerosis;
    ● continued implementation of the province’s poverty reduction plan;
    ● working with home-care agencies and special-care homes to ensure that home care workers receive an increase in their hourly wages;
    ● increasing the operating grant to public universities by two per cent and increasing targeted bursaries to students from lower-income families;
    ● making significant investments to support positive outcomes in early childhood development, student achievement and inclusion practices;
    ● creating a teaching supplies fund that will allow teachers to buy educational items for their classrooms; and
    ● increasing funding for school supplies for low-income families to $100 from $50.
  • @thomjeff: Better see better accounting for $30mil North & $7.1mil Miramichi Job Creation Funds. No more #atcon #nbbudget #nbpoli www2.gnb.ca
  • Balancing fiscal needs with competitive taxation

    The provincial government re-affirmed its commitment not to reduce the general corporate tax rate below 10 per cent and also kept its commitment to begin lowering the small business tax by reducing it to 4.5 per cent from five per cent.

    The provincial government announced it will hold the top marginal tax rate on high income earners in the current top bracket at 2010 levels of 14.3 per cent. This measure applies to about 11,000 New Brunswickers who earn more than $120,796. The provincial government will delay additional personal income tax reductions that had been scheduled for 2012 – meaning, all tax rates for 2012 will remain at the 2011 levels.
  • The government will work to ensure home-care workers will see an increase in their wages.
  • We are ONLY going $450m more in debt this year. Should we consider that to be a fiscal victory? Where are the civil service cuts? #nbpoli
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