2016 budget will mean cuts to civil service among other changes: government source

Cuts are coming to New Brunswick’s civil service.

A government source tells The Canadian Press that tomorrow’s provincial budget will cut the size of management by 30 per cent.

That’s at least 180 positions.

READ MORE: New Brunswick budget promises deep cuts, but not to health care or education

Odette Robichaud, vice-president of CUPE New Brunswick, says the union is concerned services to the public will suffer.

The reorganization of the civil service – including other job cuts – is expected to save 46-million dollars.

The government is looking for new revenue and cost-cutting measures in an effort to address a structural deficit of about 600-million.

Other options include increasing the HST to 15 per cent from 13 per cent, raising corporate taxes, and implementing highway tolls.