Government is increasing its capital investments in 2017-18 to provide more funding for schools, health care and public infrastructure.
Capital Plan 2017-18 will invest $515 million in communities across Nova Scotia, Finance and Treasury Board Minister Randy Delorey announced today, Jan. 25.
Highlights of the plan include improvements to provincial parks, continued investment in an innovative ocean research centre, upgrades to highways and bridges, a new school to replace J.L. Ilsley High School in Halifax, renovations to Frank H. MacDonald Elementary School in Sutherland’s River, Pictou Co., and repairs and renovations to Brookland Elementary School in Sydney.
“By sticking with our fiscal plan we have the flexibility to make investments in communities across the province,” said Mr. Delorey. “We are pleased that we are able to continue to invest in roads, schools, health care and public infrastructure that will benefit Nova Scotians. These infrastructure investments will create jobs and opportunities.”
Overall, the plan includes the design and construction of nine new schools as well as renovations for five additional schools, funding for hospitals, the construction and renovation of other medical facilities, and investments in highway improvements.
The plan also contains a $169.2 million investment in the Halifax Convention Centre, deferred from last year. This investment is being cost shared with the federal government contributing $51.4 million, and the province and Halifax Regional Municipality each contributing $58.9 million. That brings this year’s plan’s total to $684.2 million, an increase of $39.2 million from 2016-17.
Capital Plan 2017-18 includes:
— $217.5 million in highways and structures
— $137.4 million in buildings and land
— $169.2 million in buildings (Halifax Convention Centre)
— $19.9 million in information technology projects
— $19.8 million in vehicles and equipment
— $85.9 million in capital grants
There is also a contingency fund of $34.5 million.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal also released its 5-year Highway Improvement Plan, which is part of the capital plan. It maps out government’s approach to repairing and maintaining the province’s 23,000 kilometres of roads and highways and 4,100 bridges.
The capital plan is subject to approval in the 2017-18 budget.
Capital Plan 2017-18 is available online at www.novascotia.ca/finance.
The 5-year Highway Improvement Plan can be found at www.novascotia.ca/tran/highways/hwyconstruction.asp.
Source: Release