Brian Gallant says his first New Brunswick budget may be delayed

FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s Liberal government may delay the delivery of its first budget, but Premier Brian Gallant says it can’t wait too long.

The collapse of oil prices has prompted the federal government to delay its budget until at least April so it can weigh the effects.

Gallant says his budget may also be on hold because the province needs to see the impacts of the federal budget.

However, Gallant says efforts to right the province’s fiscal ship have to begin sooner rather than later.

The province is looking for ways to erase a structural deficit and a net debt topping $12 billion.