Liberals Respond To Provincial Budget

The Opposition Liberals had their chance to respond to the Progressive Conservative government’s first budget on Thursday.

The 2019-20 budget projects a small surplus of $23 million and the first decrease to the net debt in 13 years.

Finance advocate Roger Melanson says his party supports the surplus but the Tories should not take all of the credit.

“Mr. Speaker, let’s be clear, the premier should actually admit it, the turning around of the financial challenges didn’t happen over the last five months, it began four years ago,” said Melanson.

Budget Already Balanced

Melanson contends the books were already balanced when the PCs took office in late 2018.

He also said the government needs to engage all New Brunswickers when it comes to making decisions, like preparing budgets.

“31 per cent of the vote and forming a minority government doesn’t automatically make you the smartest person in the room when it comes to balancing the books,” Melanson said.

He also blasted the Tories for cutting several projects in the capital budget, including the new Fredericton courthouse.

“These decisions may get the premier and his ministers the headline they wanted, but they don’t make a lot of sense when it comes to managing our money over the long run,” Melanson said.