The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is urging Premier Susan Holt to keep her promise and keep New Brunswick’s budget balanced.

“Holt promised voters balanced budgets during the election and it’s concerning to see media reports where she’s talking about breaking her promise and running a deficit,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director. “Holt must hold the line and prove she’s not another flip-flopping politician who breaks her word when things get tough.”
 

Recent news reports indicate Holt will not commit to balancing the budget this year, despite her previous commitment to running balanced budgets throughout her mandate.

The provincial government has balanced the books for the last eight years and provincial debt is now 12 per cent lower than it was a decade ago. Despite this, interest on government debt will cost taxpayers $608 million this year, which is more than $700 for every New Brunswicker.

“Balanced budgets aren’t just numbers on a page, they protect taxpayers from higher taxes and interest payments down the road,” Drover said. “Every dollar spent on debt interest is a dollar that can’t go to health care, education or tax relief.”

The CTF is calling on Holt to deliver a balanced budget this year and bring forward balanced budget laws to ensure long-term fiscal responsibility in the province.

“New Brunswickers deserve a government that respects their hard-earned tax dollars,” Drover said. “Holt’s balanced budget promise is not just a campaign pledge – it’s a commitment to taxpayer and it must be upheld.”