New Brunswick's debt was the main talking point from Tuesday's provincial budget announcement. The provincial government will pay down part of the accumulated debt for the first time in 13 years, Finance Minister Ernie Steeves said. And the CBC News team was there to offer comprehensive coverage of the big news. Our stories examined the debt and the projected $23 million surplus. They considered the lowered expectations for the New Brunswick economy. They touched on some major changes to financial assistance for post-secondary education. They described the effect of increasing the auditor general's budget. The 2019 provincial government budget distilled CBC News 1:11 These are the key takeaways. 1:11 But budgets are big, and there are plenty of nuggets that may be overlooked. Here are seven items worth considering: So long, front licence plate The People's Alliance can check this one off its to-do list. The Tory government announced Tuesday it will be eliminating the front licence plate on motor vehicles. The decision comes into effect in April. The Tories reached into the Alliance's playbook when making this campaign pledge in September. "It's good to see the government is acting on this recommendation," said People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin in a statement Tuesday. People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin said he was pleased to see the front licence plate will be eliminated. (CBC) "However, we feel more can be done, including biannual vehicle inspections and a one-time vehicle registration for all personal motor vehicles." Premier Blaine Higgs said during a September campaign stop that the party would allow for vehicle registration every two years, but that didn't appear in Tuesday's budget. Women's Council budget cut The budget revealed a massive cut to the New Brunswick Women's Council funding. The council, which furthers gender-equality in the province, saw last year's $821,000 budget reduced to $429,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. Steeves said the council's 2018-19 budget was double what was typically allocated. "It really didn't seem to be used as much as it should, and so we decided to move it back to where it was two years ago," said Steeves. The council spent $671,000 of the $821,000 budget. "But certainly we value all the work of the Women's Council," he added. Higgs's 2011 budget, when he was finance minister, eliminated the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women. In 2013, the Tories introduced the Voices of New Brunswick Women Consensus-Building Forum, which was criticized for being a shell of the former arm's-length agency. The Liberal government passed legislation in 2016 to create the stronger, more independent Women's Council. Beth Lyons, executive director of the New Brunswick Women's Council, is wondering if the province performed a gender-based analysis on the provincial budget. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) Beth Lyons, the council's executive director, declined to comment on the budget cut until being able to speak with council members. Lyons said she has many questions for the government on other issues, including whether the budget underwent a gender-based analysis and, if so, was it used to inform decision-making. The council also wants to find out the status of funding for the implementation of a new sexual violence framework. In August 2018, the Liberals announced $1.425 million over two years (and $1.6 million in 2020-21) in funding for the framework to examine prevention and response strategies. Climate change fund New Brunswick's ill-fated carbon pricing plan proposed redirecting 2.3 cents of the existing 15.5-cent-per-litre gas tax revenue into a fund for climate change projects. The plan, which was geared to avoid passing the cost to consumers, was ultimately rejected by Ottawa and the federal backstop was imposed. Consumers will see increased costs at the pumps in April, though the provincial government is fighting the federal carbon tax along with Saskatchewan and Ontario. Since April 1, 2018, gas revenue of $37.4 million was directed into the provincial climate change fund. But that's going to stop. According to the 2019-20 provincial budget, no more revenue will be allocated to the fund. The fund was roundly criticized for being no more than an accounting exercise. The vast majority of the fund was not going to be spent on new climate programs. Nurse practitioner pilot The pilot nurse practitioner clinic in the Moncton area could serve as a model for other regions where patients don't have primary caregivers, the finance minister said. (CBC) The provincial government is creating a new primary health-care clinic in the Moncton area staffed mainly by nurse practitioners. The clinic, which will fall under the Horizon Health Network, will be a pilot project for service delivery in a province where thousands of New Brunswickers don't have access to family doctors or nurse practitioners. "Hopefully, this will be a model going forward," said Steeves, who could not provide a firm cost or timeline for the project on Tuesday. The clinic will have the capacity to take on up to 6,000 patients once fully operational, he said. If successful, the province will open more of the centres. Wage increases Minimum-wage workers, early-childhood educators and home-support workers are in line for a pay bump in the upcoming fiscal year. The provincial budget earmarked $16.1 million to increase wages for home-support workers, and $1 million for trained early-childhood educators. The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity said the money for educators isn't enough to achieve pay equity and a far cry from the $28 million over four years pledged by the previous Liberal government. "It is clear that at this rate, early childhood educators will not achieve pay equity for decades," said coalition president Frances LeBlanc in a statement. "Social and community services are the social infrastructure on which rely families and the broader New Brunswick economy. These services are critical to support women and men's full and equal participation in the labour market." And on April 1, the minimum wage will increase 25 cents to $11.50 per hour. That would place New Brunswick ninth out of the 13 provinces and territories, according to the Retail Council of Canada. By April 1, only Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will have a lower minimum wage.<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email The Saskatchewan government said it will be investing in new schools and hospitals as part of its infrastructure funding announcement in the 2019-20 budget. Preconstruction design will start on a new Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, and for the planning and design of a new hospital in Weyburn. Greg Dionne, the mayor of Prince Albert, says the funding is an exciting and long-awaited announcement. “[Prince Albert Victoria Hospital] is always at capacity,” Dionne said. “We service the north for recreation, health and education. We are the service centre so we get quite a few people from the north.” Story continues below advertisement A combined $5 million will go towards the two projects as both enter the final stages of approval. A new long-term care facility is planned for Meadow Lake to replace the Northland Pioneers Lodge. Officials said once complete, capacity will increase from 55 to 72 beds. The province is allocating $12 million to start construction on the project in spring 2020. Planning will start on consolidating and replacing École St. Puis X and Argyle elementary schools in Regina with a joint-use school. “It is nice to see that some of the oldest and [most tired] facilities are being recognized in today’s budget,” said Shawn Davidson, Saskatchewan School Boards Association president. Also in the planning stage will be one new joint-use schools in Moose Jaw to replace Scared Heart, St. Mary’s, Empire and Westmount. Story continues below advertisement Education minister Gordon Wyant says the government followed the school division’s lead when it came to the new build. “The school division thought that a four-school amalgamation, given the numbers in those schools, made the most sense as opposed to building two facilities,” Wyant said. Funding is also allocated to determine the scope of a replacement for St. Frances Elementary school in Saskatoon. The province also said $29 million will go towards ongoing major school consolidation projects in Rosthern and Weyburn. “We’ve seen the government continue to invest in our existing facilities as they continue to enhance preventative maintenance and renewal funding in each budget,” said Davidson, adding it’s encouraging to see the new infrastructure projects announced. Overall, the government said it is delivering $2.7 billion in infrastructure funding for 2019-20. SaskPower plans on spending $873 million on capital investments, and will continue to renew its distribution and transmission lines with a goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. SaskTel will be investing $321 million during 2019-20, which will including upgrades to its wireless and wireline networks, and enhancements to rural service. Story continues below advertisement SaskEnergy said it will make $340 million in capital investments to meet growing customer demand, and ensure the integrity of its distribution system.<doc-sep>FREDERICTON -- New Brunswick Finance Minister Ernie Steeves has tabled a $9.8-billion budget for 2019-20 on Tuesday. Here are some highlights: A projected surplus of $23 million, while the current net debt of $14.1 billion is expected to decline by $49 million -- the first drop in the debt in 13 years. The budget contains no new taxes or fee increases. The front licence plate on vehicles will be eliminated, as will the fee paid by volunteer firefighters for their licence plates. The government will spend more than $16 million to increase wages for home support workers. About $2.4 million will be spent in 2019-20 to recruit and retain more nurses. The province will ask the federal government to allow for a reduction in the scope of work to improve Route 11.<doc-sep>Saskatchewan's government is putting $30 million more toward mental health and addictions in 2019-20. About half of that money — $13.7 million — is going toward North Battleford's new Saskatchewan Hospital, which offers long term psychiatric rehabilitation. The federal government has also contributed $6.25 million, bringing the Ministry of Health's total dollars for mental health and addictions to $402 million in 2019-20. "We just think we need to do better on the whole mental health front and this is, I would say, a huge step forward," Health Minister Jim Reiter said. He said the budget includes "the largest commitment ever to mental health services in our province." Reiter highlighted more beds, extra staff and new mental health clinics as some of the province's key areas of spending. The province has also sectioned off $1 million for harm reduction initiatives. The government outlined the plans for new beds in its release: About 75 new residential support beds for people transitioning from hospital back into the community About 50 pre and post-addiction treatment beds for people moving between detox and in-patient treatment or back to the community and in-patient treatment or back to the community 10 new in-patient addiction treatment beds at Pine Lodge in Indian Head Six new inpatient addiction treatment beds at Calder Centre in Saskatoon Centre in Saskatoon Six new in-patient addictions beds for youth in southern Saskatchewan Opposition says dollars don't go the distance NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon welcomed the "smart investment," but said this is just a start. "It's certainly not going the distance to the level that Sask people need and deserve," Wotherspoon said. He said the province still has a long way to go when it comes to closing the gaps for timely supports and services. ​"We need to realize that ​we have a crystal meth crisis across this province that's ravaging people's lives and families and communities," he said. "The kind of detox and rehab that's needed there is a longer duration." Temporary unit becomes permanent The province is putting $1.5 million in funding to turn the temporary Mental Health Assessment Unit in Saskatoon permanent as a Mental Health Short Stay Unit. It has seven beds and will provide people with acute mental health care needs up to seven days of care. The province had previously indicated it intended to close the temporary unit, causing concern amongst mental health advocates. The new budget also allots $1.6 million to start up three "Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine Clinics" in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Sask. seeking new hires The province said it is looking to hire more staff to provide mental health and addictions treatment. The province hopes to use $1.1 million to hire up to 12 full-time staff to help kids and youth who need mental health care. It is also allotting $650,000 to hire up to seven primary care counsellors. More than 139,000 people in the province seek care every year from counsellors like this, often for anxiety and depression. It alloted $515,000 to hire an unspecified number of pediatric nurses and social workers at the not-yet-open Jim Pattison Children's Hospital emergency department. The province is putting $300,000 to help the La Ronge Detox Centre provide 24/7 nursing support. Funding for targeted mental health and addictions initiatives is increasing by nearly $30 million in this budget. (CBC) Boosting existing services The government is also putting money toward existing organizations: $1.2 million for 18 mental health walk-in counseling clinics across through province through Family Services Saskatchewan $420,000 for vocational programming for people with mental health needs through Canadian Mental Health Association of Saskatchewan $200,000 split between the Autism Resource Centre in Regina and Autism Services of Saskatoon $250,000 for Mental Health Commission of Canada's Roots of Hope Suicide Prevention Initiative in Buffalo Narrows $600,000 annually for Sanctum 1.5, a 10 bed unit to help pregnant women with HIV and substance abuse issues (in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services) More Saskatchewan budget stories<doc-sep>
The Saskatchewan Party government says it has kept its promise to balance the budget within three years. On Wednesday, Minister of Finance Donna Harpauer released her second budget, which projects a $34.4-million surplus this year with surpluses increasing to $82 million in 2022-23. "This year's budget provides the right balance by increasing support for mental health and vulnerable families," Harpauer said. "It increases funding to classrooms and it improves highway safety." Revenue is forecast at $15 billion, a 5.5 per cent increase from last year. Expenses are projected at $14.9 billion, a 2.6 per cent increase. The province points to an increasing tax base and a strengthening economy — partly thanks to potash — as reasons for the increase in revenue. Tax revenue is budgeted at $7.6 billion, or 51 per cent of total revenue. PST revenue accounts for $2.3 billion, an increase of $75 million from the 2018-19 forecast. (CBC) Harpauer said the decision to expand and raise the PST in 2017 has given the government a "solid footing in order to get to balance." "It was difficult. I want to thank the Saskatchewan people because they stuck with us. I feel very proud to be able to say to them we are not increasing any taxes in this budget, we are increasing services." Non-renewable resource revenue is budgeted at $1.8 billion or 12 per cent of total revenue. (CBC) Saskatchewan's public debt is projected to be at $21.7 billion on March 31, 2020, an increase of $1.8 billion year-over-year. Budget Projections The government based its budget on the following predictions: GDP - to grow 1.2 per cent Oil price - $59.75/barrel Potash - $221/tonne Canadian dollar - US$77.19 Harpauer said the government will make changes to its Potash Production Tax. "The base component of the tax is intended to provide a simple flat payment per tonne of potash sales. However it has gradually been eroded by currently allowable deductions. Effective April 1, the calculation of the potash Production Tax will be simplified by eliminating these deductions," Harpauer said. The change is projected to net the government $117 million in additional tax revenue this year. (CBC) Mental health spending up, organ donor registry launching The health budget is increasing by $123 million, or 2.1 per cent, in 2019-20. Part of this is what the government is calling "the largest commitment ever to mental health services," an increase of $30 million for a total of $402 million. Part of the new money will go toward 140 new beds for mental health and addictions treatment. The province is spending $1.6 million to launch three Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinics in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. In addition, $1.5 million in new money will allow the temporary Mental Health Assessment Unit in Saskatoon — which closed recently — to re-open permanently. The province is also launching an organ donor registry. It will spend $558,000 on the registry and is hoping to launch it by the end of March 2020. The budget contains $2.5 million for pre-construction design for both Prince Albert's Victoria Hospital and a new hospital in Weyburn. The government will also replace Northlands Pioneer Lodge in Meadow Lake. The temporary Mental Health and Assessment Unit at Royal University Hospital will become permanent. (Don Somers/CBC News) K-12 education sees 1.4 per cent increase The K-12 education budget is increasing by $26 million for a total of $2.4 billion. This is a 1.4 per cent increase over last year. The province is spending $3 million for planning and design for a joint-use replacement of Regina's Ecole St. Pius X and Argyle School and joint-use and consolidation projects for four schools in Moose Jaw. Saskatchewan's libraries are receiving a one per cent increase of $128,000. Advanced education funding remains flat for the second straight year, with the exception of the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine receiving an additional $88 million. Record spend in social services The province is spending $55.5 million in new money in the Ministry of Social Services, including $27 million to support at-risk children and families. The total is a record $1.23 billion. Community-based organizations that support and provide services for children with intellectual disabilities and their families will receive an additional $5.9 million There is also a $6.3 million increase for the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program. Highway safety, pot revenue and tax refunds for emergency workers The province is committing $20 million to enhance intersection safety on highways.