Balanced NS budget lacks credibility, opposition parties say

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s opposition parties aren’t impressed with the Liberal government’s budget, although it contains a small surplus of 17 million dollars for 2016-17.

Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie says the budget lacks a credible plan for job creation and economic growth and is based on unrealistic tax revenue projections.

Baillie says he doubts the surplus will grow given that employment has decreased over the last three years.

READ MORE: Highlights from Nova Scotia Budget 2016

He says the government missed an opportunity to lower the tax burden for Nova Scotians.

NDP Leader Gary Burrell says the budget is nothing more than a “surplus of words.”

Burrell says while the budget contains some small initiatives to help those with lower incomes and families what’s really needed is spending on a scale demonstrated by the federal Liberals.

He also says the government should have moved as New Brunswick did last week to provide more up-front financial assistance to post-secondary students.

WATCH: The Liberal government says this budget aims to focus on Nova Scotians who “need it most.” But critics say the financial commitments contained within the budget fall short in areas like early education, health care and income assistance. Rebecca Lau reports.

2:04 Reaction to Nova Scotia budget