New N.B. government dramatically scales back capital spending

New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservative government has tabled a $600-million capital budget that dramatically turns away from the big spending of the previous Liberal government.

Finance Minister Ernie Steeves says hard decisions are needed now about what government can afford if the province is to return to balanced budgets by 2020 or sooner.

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The previous Liberal government tabled an $815.3 million capital budget last year, and had projected to spend $865.6 million for the coming year.

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The Tories have released a five-year plan that would see capital spending at roughly $600 million each year.

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Steeves says the plan will focus on maintaining roads, bridges and buildings.

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The biggest spending in 2019-2020 is $321 million to maintain transportation infrastructure, while almost $124 million goes to health care infrastructure, and $60.2 million in school infrastructure – including new elementary schools in Hanwell and Moncton.