Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative government introduced a budget that includes major tax cuts and a reserve fund to be used if the U-S president makes good on his threat to impose tariffs.
Finance Minister John Lohr’s 17.6-billion dollar budget forecasts a deficit of 697.5 million dollars for the 2025-26 fiscal year — a figure that could rise if the 200-million dollar reserve fund needs to be used.
Budget documents say the province faces slowing population growth and potential American protectionism, which could trigger a drop in exports.
The government’s proposed budget solutions range from lowering taxes to increasing capital spending on hospitals and public housing.
Nova Scotia’s opposition leaders say the Progressive Conservative government’s budget hasn’t set out a coherent plan on how it would deal with U-S President Donald Trumps tariffs it they hit Canada.
N-D-P Leader Claudia Chender said yesterday’s budget speech instead goes after phantom political opponents over yet-to-be-determined resource and mining projects.
She also says the 17.6 billion dollar budget fails to make clear whether a 200 million dollar contingency fund could be used to help laid off workers and struggling businesses if the tariff threat becomes a reality.
Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette says he’s worried about tax cuts and rising spending in the face of a projected deficit that could approach 900 million dollars, if the contingency fund is needed.
Pictou County District RCMP are investigating the theft of a snowmobile. It was stolen sometime in the past month from a barn on Green Hill Rd., Durham, in Pictou County. It’s a 2002 Arctic Cat 660 4-stroke, with license plate JZ-925. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pictou County District RCMP or Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers.
Nova Scotia Health has announced mobile health clinics around the province that will be offering vaccines this week. On Friday, a clinic will be running in New Glasgow at Pictou County Wellness Centre from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The investiture ceremony for the Order of Nova Scotia is set for today in Halifax. The five recipients include author, poet and educator Afua Cooper, former chief justice J. Michael MacDonald and biomedical genealogist and medical historian Allan Marble. Two philanthropists including entrepreneur Joseph Shannon and patron of the arts and corporate leader Robert Sobey will also receive the honour. The five recipients were announced last December and are being honoured for their contributions in a broad range of fields
