The Nova Scotia child benefit is staying put.
Premier Stephen McNeil says the province will continue to provide the program following the federal government’s new Canada child benefit.
He says the benefit will greatly support those who need it.
“That entire committment that national government has made to child care will remain in place, which is about an additional $14-million cost to the province but we’ll absorb that and that money will go directly to families and stay with families.”
The Canada child benefit will provide families with incomes under $30,000 between $5,000 and $6,400 per child up to 17 years-old.
McNeil says he’s pleased to see the budget include $120-billion over 10 years for things like transit, broadband internet, and water and sewer infrastructure.
He says it’s important broadband is on Ottawa’s radar.
“Obviously, particularly in Southwestern Nova Scotia, we have major issues. This is a priority for our government and the fact the federal government has made it such an obvious priority for them is encouraging.”
However, McNeil stopped short of providing further details because it’s not known how much money will be divided between provinces.
There was no mention of new health-care streams, but McNeil believes the budget allows for new funding formulas in the future.
It was one request put forward by the Nova Scotia government.
