Provincial Finance Minister Ernie Steeves. (submitted)
Finance Minister Ernie Steeves says he’s ready for what’s to come next week when the budget is delivered.
He says it isn’t an election budget, and says they didn’t go back to the drawing board after a public backlash against healthcare reforms.
“No, we committed all the time to balancing the budget and paying down the debt and we will continue to do that. Whether or not that is an election driven, I don’t think so. Having said that, the efficiencies we found over the last year, allowed us to spend some money, in the appropriate places though,” Steeves says.
He hinted that there is an increase in healthcare spending, well above the cost of living, but wouldn’t say much more about where spending and cuts will be.
Steeves says he isn’t concerned about what will happen if the budget doesn’t pass, or the possibility of another election.
He says he is prepared to defend the budget he presents, “I look forward to all of the questions, and I look forward to explaining it. Communication is key and New Brunswickers want to know. A lot of the problems we get into are because people haven’t had the facts communicated to them.”
“I believe in our budget and that we are doing what is right for New Brunswickers,” Steeves says
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers has stated his party will vote against the budget on March 10th.
That statement was made after proposed healthcare reforms would close emergency rooms in six rural communities. The reforms were later cancelled by the Conservative government less than a week later.
