There’s continued criticism of the Conservative budget, with accusations that the Higgs government delivered an election budget.
Finance Minister Ernie Steeves says that’s not the case, “We put almost $130 million down onto the net debt. If it was an election budget, we would have spent that. We would have spent it on roads, swimming pools, arenas, anything. But we didn’t. We balanced the budget and we put money down on the net debt, and we made improvements throughout. We did a 3.9 per cent increase on health, and an over four percent increase for education and social development.”
The budget will face a vote in the Legislature next week.
Steeves says he isn’t concerned, because he believes it’s a good budget, “It’s up to each individual in the Opposition as to whether or not they want to vote for it. I think it is a great budget. It helps a lot of New Brunswickers, while also paying down the debt. If they want to vote that down, they can certainly do that, but I think it is a bad move.”
So far, the Peoples Alliance leader has said he’ll be voting in favour, but Green Party Leader David Coon has said he wants time to think about it.
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers has said his party will be voting against the budget.
