Highlights of New Brunswick 2015-16 deficit budget delivered Tuesday

FREDERICTON – Highlights of the New Brunswick budget introduced Tuesday:

— A deficit of $476.8 million is projected on an $8.6-billion spending program.

— Accumulated debt expected to reach $12.6 billion by the spring of 2016.

— Taxes on gasoline will increase by 1.9 cents per litre and the cost of diesel will jump by 2.3 cents per litre as of Wednesday.

— The richest one per cent of New Brunswickers will be subjected to higher income taxes, with two new tax brackets created for those earning more than $150,000 annually.

— The government plans to eliminate 249 teaching positions through attrition, close at least six courthouses and increase premiums for seniors who use the Medavie Blue Cross prescription drug program.