NDP says Houston government’s budget not supporting enough Nova Scotians
Posted Dec 19, 2023 07:27:47 AM.
Last Updated Dec 19, 2023 08:18:44 AM.
Nova Scotia’s New Democrats say the province’s budget update does not include enough supports for those facing rising costs.
Yesterday, the province updated its budget to show its on track for a deficit of $264 million, roughly $14.6 million less than the figure estimated in last spring’s budget.
Finance Minister Allan MacMaster says the slight improvement from the $278.8-million deficit estimated in the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year is due to increased tax revenue.
Following the update, the NDP put out a statement, saying government must do more to help Nova Scotians struggling to make ends meet.
NDP leader Claudia Chender says the province is not moving the needle when it comes to the housing crisis, adding nova scotians have found it harder to afford the basics, like food, housing, and medication.
“Month after month Nova Scotians have found it harder to afford the basics, like food, housing, and medication,” said Chender in the statement. “There are hundreds of people sleeping outside and the Houston government has left folks to struggle, cutting back on who was eligible for the Heating Assistance Rebate, ignoring our calls to cut the tax on all groceries, and refusing to help renters or ban child care waitlist fees.”
MacMaster says expenses are up $440.2 million-dollars, to $15.3 billion-dollars, due primarily to spending on health care, targeted cost-of-living support and debt servicing.
