Capital Estimates For Health, Education Released

Two hospital projects delayed by the New Brunswick government last year are now going ahead.

The Department of Health released its capital budget estimates for 2020-21 on Wednesday.

Work will start on a $91-million addition and renovation to the Saint John Regional Hospital.

It includes a new medical and surgical ICU, an oncology unit, and improvements to the New Brunswick Heart Centre.

Work will also begin on a $40-million project to build a coronary care unit at the Moncton Hospital.

“Health care is one of our government’s key priorities,” said Health Minister Ted Flemming in a news release, “and we are committed to making both the investments and transformations that are required to ensure our health system achieves three important principles: sustainability, quality and access.”

The Department of Health’s capital budget will be $123.9 million, which includes $78.9 million for ongoing major capital projects and $45 million for capital improvements and equipment purchases.

Other items in the 2020-21 capital budget include:

• $7 million for continuing work on the addition of a surgical suite and renovations at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton.
• $14.7 million for the maternal newborn unit project at the Moncton Hospital.
• $16 million for continuing additions and renovations at the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst.
• $25 million for an addition and renovation project at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton.

Schools And Education

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development also tabled its capital budget on Wednesday.

Minister Dominic Cardy outlined a list of current construction projects, including the K-8 school in Hanwell, the K-8 francophone school in Moncton, and the 6-8 anglophone school in the northern part of Moncton.

But Cardy did not provide details about any new projects which will be part of the more than $70.5-million budget.

“Our government is making the capital budget process for education fully transparent, and protecting it from political influence and interference,” said Cardy in a news release. “From now on communities will know where their schools stand on this priority list.”

In the coming weeks, Cardy said the department will make public a provincial priority list of capital projects to provide communities with transparent and objective information on asset management.

“Making this list public will ensure that communities are aware of the priorities for life upgrades, school additions, new schools or school rationalization projects, all while removing the opportunities for subjective or partisan perspectives,” he said.

The budget includes $44.1 million for construction projects already underway and $23.5 million for repairs, upgrades, equipment and the dust collector program.