FREDERICTON — New Brunswick's Progressive Conservative government on Tuesday tabled its last budget before this year's provincial election. Here are some highlights.
- Budget of $13.3 billion, with 6.4 per cent increase in spending.
- Surplus of $40.9 million.
- Health care spending of $3.8 billion — virtually the same as what was spent in the fiscal year ending March 31.
- $1.9 billion for education, an increase of almost $200 million compared with what was spent in the year ending March 31.
- Provincial gross domestic product grew by an estimated 1.1 per cent in 2023 and is forecast to grow by 0.7 per cent in 2024.
- Net debt projected to be $12.7 billion, representing 26.7 per cent of provincial GDP.
- An increase of 3.6 per cent in benefits for social assistance recipients.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2024.
The Canadian Press