Highlights from the Newfoundland and Labrador budget

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Newfoundland and Labrador’s Finance Minister tabled the 2020-2021 provincial budget Wednesday. Here are some highlights:

– A $1.84-billion deficit – but it’s a $309-million improvement from what had been forecast in July.

– Total net debt expected to hit $16.4 billion, which works out to just over $31,000 per person in the province.

– An anticipated $430-million drop in oil revenues from the last fiscal year.

– $3 million to launch a $25-a-day daycare program to begin in 2021.

– $363.2 million for Memorial University in St. John’s, including $54.1 million for the faculty of medicine and $68.4 million to maintain current tuition levels for students from the province.

– $5.5 million toward a new correctional facility in St. John’s and to expand the Labrador Corrections Facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2020.