Big spending on healthcare has increased New Brunswick’s deficit for this year.
The first fiscal update from the new Liberal government shows a $92 million deficit.
That’s a reversal from the previous government’s budgeted surplus of nearly $41 million last spring.
The Department of Health is over budget by $193 million due to higher operating costs, a significant portion being travel nurses.
In total, the province is over budget by $251 million.
Finance minister Rene Legacy says they’ll use this as a starting point to develop spending plans moving forward, and their goal is to balance the budget and deliver services New Brunswickers need.
The second quarter update for the 2024-25 fiscal year has been released.https://t.co/ZCxw3mi2eT pic.twitter.com/q3iKuLq2Eg
— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) November 15, 2024