March 26, 2019

Nova Scotia Tables Balanced Budget for 2019-2020

The Nova Scotia government tabled its fourth consecutive balanced budget today, with $691.3 million for vital infrastructure projects, including highway twinning, renovating and constructing new schools, and advancing two of the largest health-care redevelopment projects in the province’s history.

The figure is an $86-million increase over last year’s capital budget. The plan also includes a contingency fund of $48 million and includes money for projects that have not yet been announced.

Budget 2019-20 estimates a surplus of $33.6 million with revenue of $11 billion and expenses, after consolidation adjustments, of $10.98 billion. It also projects balanced budgets in each of the following three years. There are also no new tax increases or reductions or changes in fees for taxpayers.

In addition to the capital funds, the budget made commitments to train and recruit more doctors, reduce health-care wait times, expand the pre-primary program and invest in new tax credits to drive private sector investment.

The Nova Scotia infrastructure highlights include:

Health-care

  • $156.9 million to support the largest health-care redevelopment projects in the province’s history — the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax and design work for new health-care facilities in Cape Breton.
  • $35.2 million for construction, repair and renewal of other hospitals and medical facilities.

Education

  • $63.1 million for building, ongoing construction and renovation of schools.
  • School projects include: Bedford Ravines, Clare Regional, Eastern District, Eastern Shore District, Ecole Halifax Peninsula, Ecole Wedgeport, Glace Bay Area Elementary School, Le Marchant-St. Thomas, Springhill, Spryfield and Yarmouth.
  • The government is acquiring a P3 project: Horton High School as the contract period is up.

Transportation

  • $15 million boost for highways, bringing total spending to more than $300 million.
  • Major construction projects: Highways 101, 102, 103, 104 and 107, as well as Trunk 30.

The full 2019 Nova Scotia budget can be accessed at http://www.novascotia.ca/budget. The capital plan can be accessed at https://beta.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/documents/1-1687/capital-plan-2019-2020-en.pdf