Politicians in southwestern Nova Scotia are sharing their reactions to the budget released on Thursday by the province.
Health Minister and Yarmouth Liberal MLA Zach Churchill says this is an important budget and COVID-19 needs to be considered.
“This is a really good budget considering that we were hit economically over the last year by COVID-19,” said Churchill. “Our deficit is not as large as we thought it was going to be. Our economic recovery is already starting to take place and that is allowing us to spend more money in key areas like long term care.”
Meanwhile, PC MLA for Argyle-Barrington Colton LeBlanc says a lack of planning is an issue with the budget.
“There wasn’t really any plan identified with the money that’s going to be spent in different departments,” said LeBlanc. “Governments proud of the announcement of 236 new long term care beds, but in reality that’s not enough. We have 1,500 people waiting for long term care.”
Significant resources are being directed towards the health department as more than $1 billion has been earmarked for long term care and home care.
It’s the single largest investment in this area in the province’s history.
The mental-health budget now stands as the largest in the province’s history at $336 million which includes a $12 million increase in funding for new programming.
Meantime, income assistance is being boosted by $35 million increasing the household rate by roughly $100 a month per adult.
Find out more about the 2021-22 budget including allocations for the environment and housing here.
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