New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant isn’t completely ruling out hospital closures, but says health and education will be protected in his government’s upcoming budget.
The government has warned it may have to close as many as 10 hospitals if it doesn’t make other major economic changes such as raising the HST to 15 per cent from 13 per cent.
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The government says it must address a structural deficit of about $600 million, and recently issued a 32-point document that lists options totalling about $1 billion in cuts and savings.
Speaking in Saint John, Gallant says unless he hears something different from the public in the coming weeks, his government will protect health and education in the budget, set for Feb. 2.
Ten public meetings will be held at various locations around the province between now and Jan. 21 to gather final input and comments on the government’s options.
Other options include reducing the number of senior managers in the civil service, and introducing highway tolls.
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