NOTE TO EDITORS: Staff will be available to media at 11 a.m. in the Media Room, One Government Place, 1700 Granville St., Halifax. Finance Minister Diana Whalen will be available for questions there at 11:30 a.m.
Government will invest in schools, hospitals, highways, medical equipment and technology in communities across Nova Scotia, through the 2015-16 Capital Plan.
The plan outlines $490 million in investments for more than 100 projects, Finance and Treasury Board Minister Diana Whalen announced today, Dec. 22.
“These are great investments that will benefit communities all across the province, whether it’s improvements in schools, or paving local roads,” said Ms. Whalen. “We are releasing the plan now to help businesses prepare for upcoming projects in advance, and allow Nova Scotians to see where their tax dollars are being spent.”
Government distinguishes between costs for day-to-day operations, called operating costs (such as salaries and rent), and more long-term ones, called capital assets (such as buildings, equipment and vehicles). The Capital Plan outlines government’s intention to invest in long-term assets.
The Capital Plan includes:
— $222.5 million for highways and structures
— $114.8 million for buildings and land
— $47.4 million for information technology projects
— $15.3 million for vehicles and equipment
— $63.8 million for capital grants
There is also a contingency fund of $26.2 million.
The plan includes designing and building nine schools, and continuing work on the Highway 103 Ingramport Interchange. It also includes funds for the Access for Citizens and Access to Business programs, which are reducing red tape in Nova Scotia, and funds for linear accelerators to treat cancer patients.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal today, also released its 5-Year Highway Improvement Plan, which is part of the Capital Plan.
The Capital Plan will be tabled in the spring session of the legislature, and is subject to approval in the 2015-16 budget.
The 2015-16 Capital Plan can be found at www.novascotia.ca/finance .
The 5-year highway plan can be found at novascotia.ca/tran/highways/hwyconstruction.asp .
Source: Release