The province is projecting a $17.1-million surplus.
During the budget announcement this afternoon, Finance Minister Randy Delorey laid out how they plan to invest the $480-million set aside for capital projects.
Along with funding for a new school in Yarmouth and an aquaculture growth strategy, Delorey announced $6-million for rural high-speed internet.
“High-speed internet is the backbone of the new economy,” he says. “We’re committed to ensuring more homes and businesses in rural Nova Scotia have access to high-speed internet, connecting them to opportunities here at home and around the globe.”
Money has also been allotted for paving along Highway 103 from Port Mouton to Broad River this year.
The province says the budget is balanced at $10.1-billion.
Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative Finance Critic Tim Houston isn’t buying the $17-million surplus.
He points to last year’s deficit, which he says grew drastically between April and December.
“They said ‘you know that $97-million deficit we told you about in April? That’s now $241-million.’ That’s how far things can change in a year.”
Houston says it wouldn’t take much to see the surplus turn into more debt for Nova Scotia taxpayers.
Here is a list of items expected to support people in the South Shore:
— funding for the Nova Scotia to Portland ferry
— continued funding for an Aquaculture Growth Strategy
— bringing high-speed Internet to more rural homes and businesses
— a new SchoolsPlus site to bring a range of services together for children and youth including mental health and other health programs, homework support, social work and justice services
— support funding for groups welcoming refugees
— funding for community facility projects
— English as a second language training to newcomers through the Teaching Immigrants English program
— funding for sport and cultural events
— continued funding for sustainable transportation
— funding for a new elementary school in Yarmouth
— completion and paving of Highway 103 from Port Mouton to Broad River in 2016-2017
— repaving 5.6 km of Pine Grove Road from Trunk 10 to Northfield Road in 2016-2017
— access to the New Building Canada Fund
— multi-year development of the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, enhancing care for all Nova Scotians and Atlantic Canadians
