N.S. budget to be tabled April 27, two days after start of spring sitting

This year, the budget will be presented about three weeks later than it has been for much of the last decade.

In noting that, Opposition Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie said the premier is playing politics and that’s why the province should have a fixed election date.

He said McNeil is manipulating the public.

“There are hundreds of good organizations, government departments and agencies that are waiting for their budgets for no good reason,” said Baillie. “They are concluding that he is putting his political needs ahead of the needs of Nova Scotians that need those services and the budgets that go with them.”

NDP Leader Gary Burrill said when a budget is tabled, it should be debated and voted on because of the broad implications it has for the public.

Burrill said that’s especially true because of the government’s emphasis on balancing the books.

“This is a principle that has caused a great deal of destruction in our health-care system and in our education,” he said. “If this is to be the case again, then this (budget) should be subjected to the maximum amount of democratic scrutiny that our system provides for.”

The government’s agenda appears to be light, although McNeil said legislation on making the province more accessible for the disabled would be brought back with changes after being shelved last fall following objections from those it was meant to help.

“But obviously the budget will be the most dominant part and we are looking forward to laying out the fiscal plan for the future,” said McNeil.

Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

N.S. budget to be tabled April 27, two days after start of spring sitting

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