New Brunswick boosting spending on roads, schools and health care facilities

FREDERICTON — The New Brunswick government has tabled a $1.2-billion capital budget that sets aside nearly $200 million more than the plan tabled last year.

Capital budgets typically focus on the spending needed to support assets that a government owns, including roads, schools and hospitals.

Finance Minister Ernie Steeves said the spending increase reflects inflationary and supply chain pressures.

As well, he said the province’s record-breaking population growth has led to increased demands on public infrastructure.

The government says it plans to spend $187.4 million on public schools, an increase of 49.6 per cent over the planned expenditures announced last year.

On the housing front, $33 million will be spent on developing 380 new public housing units – and an additional $5 million will be allocated for the maintenance of existing public housing.

The maintenance and improvement of highways and bridges will get $505 million, an increase of 11.2 per cent over last year’s estimate.

As for health care, $199.8 million will be spent on health-care infrastructure, with $155 million going toward renovations, additions and other improvements.

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