The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) reacted to the release of today’s New Brunswick budget, calling it a ‘status quo’ budget.

The government debt continues to go up, but there are, however, a number of very positive cost reduction measures.

“Government borrowing will continue at a torrid pace, but there are budget cuts and some accountability measures which will pay dividends in future budgets,” said Kevin Lacey Atlantic Director for the CTF.

Government will add about $607.2 million to the debt. Brining New Brunswick’s debt above $11.6 billion.

The budget did introduce a number of measures the CTF strongly supports:

• Reduction in the number of MLAs

• New accountability legislation that forces parties to cost out their election platforms; and

• A reduction in the size of government by 2,000 employees.

“Forcing parties to fully cost out their election promises will end the ‘election lottery’ and force parties to be responsible in the commitments they make,” said Lacey.

The CTF is also pleased to see that the government committed to a balanced budget by 2017-18, but believes that more action is necessary to speed that date up. The last time the NB budget was balanced was 2007-08.

“By the time the government balances the budget in 2018 the province will have been running deficits for a decade, certainly we can do better than that,” added Lacey.

Taxpayers can watch the NB debt grow in real time at www.NBDebtClock.ca.