Effective April 1, most provincial user fees will increase by three per cent to bring the cost of government services better in line with the cost of delivery.

The fee adjustment is tied to Nova Scotia’s consumer price index increase of 1.2 per cent in 2013 and 1.7 per cent in 2014.

The increase will apply to most of the about 1,400 user fees for government-provided services, as well as licensing and regulatory functions by departments. Fees for government service organizations, such as school boards and health authorities, will not be affected.

Other fees that will not increase include travel guide advertising, foreign schools and international student fees, and requests for information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

A few fees will increase by more than three per cent, including provincial cable and island ferry rates, and food safety fees.

Some increases will come at a later date because of notification and system requirements.

The fee adjustments will increase revenue by $7.7 million for the 2015-16 fiscal year. The last fee increase, 5.8 per cent, was in April 2013.

For more information, go to novascotia.ca/finance/ .

Source: Release