Nova Scotia finance minister unveils 2016-17 budget with $17.1 million surplus

HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia government has tabled its 2016-17 budget with a razor thin surplus of $17.1 million mainly due to increases in personal income tax revenues.

The government is largely holding the line on departmental spending while promising modest amounts for new spending initiatives including $6.6 million for childcare.

The money for childcare will go toward improving the parent subsidy and to increase wages for early childhood educators, although the amount of the increases won’t be released until Education Minister Karen Casey gives her official response to a recent report within the next week.

Another $7.5 million will go towards increasing income assistance by $20 a month beginning May 1 for up to 25,000 people who are eligible.

Other measures include $3.6 million to help children with autism access specialized therapy and a 25 per cent refundable food bank tax credit for farmers that will cost $300,000.

The only tax increase in the budget hits smokers with cigarettes going up two cents each or 50 cents a pack and the tax rate on cigars going up by four per cent at midnight — moves that are expected to bring $15.8 million to provincial coffers.

Nova Scotia’s finance minister has tabled the 2016-17 budget, with a $17.1 million surplus.

Randy Delorey is touting the $10.3 billion financial blueprint as a “good news” budget, with new spending on the film industry, a ferry service and refugee support.

The Liberal government will also increase income assistance by an average of $20 per month.