Cape Bretoners will benefit from investments to keep families safe, improve roads, and help new Nova Scotians in Budget 2016-2017.
“Our work and the sacrifices made by all Nova Scotians make the investments in today’s budget possible,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Randy Delorey. “This budget demonstrates what is possible when we stick to a plan and work together to build a stronger Nova Scotia.”
Measures in Budget 2016-2017 for Cape Breton include:
— continuing the innovative Domestic Violence Court in Sydney, which helps keep victims and their families safe and intervenes with offenders to change their behaviour
–- 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 major sport and cultural events
— continued funding for sustainable transportation
–- upgrading and rehabilitation of the Canso Causeway swing bridge in 2016-2017
–- upgrading and repaving of the Cabot Trail from 1.2 kilometres north of Route 312 intersection northerly for 6.2 km in 2016-2017
–- upgrading and repaving Trunk 4 from 1.8 kilometres west of Corbetts Cove Road west to the Canal Bridge in St. Peter’s 6.2 km in 2016-2017
— immigration funding to New Dawn Enterprises to work directly with immigrants settling in Cape Breton
–- 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
Budget 2016-2017 projects a $127.4 million surplus. The surplus includes a one-time revenue increase of $110.3 million in 2016-2017 because of federal and municipal contributions for the new convention centre.
The $110.3 million will go towards the debt to provide the fiscal capacity to launch a multi-year development of the QEII Health Sciences Centre. The budget’s net position is a $17.1 million surplus.
Revenue for 2016-2017 is an estimated $10.3 billion, a 3.5 per cent increase from 2015-2016. Expenses are an estimated $10.1 billion, an increase of 1.2 per cent from 2015-2016.
Government will invest $480.8 million in roads, schools, health care and public infrastructure in 2016-2017.
For more information about the 2016-2017 provincial budget, visit www.novascotia.ca/budget .
Source: Release