Provincial Budget includes no new taxes or fee increases
Finance Minister Siobhan Coady delivered the provincial budget this afternoon.
There are several highlights that has a brighter outlook than in recent years.
The projected deficit for 2021-22 is $400 million, an improvement of $426 million from the previous budget. The projected deficit for 2022-23 is $351 million. The budget should be balanced by 2025-26.
Things in the budget include eliminating the retail sales tax on home insurance for one year. There will be 50 percent off the cost of registering passenger vehicles, light trucks and taxis for one year.
There are no new taxes or fee increases.
The province has lowered the child care costs from 35 dollars to 10 dollars by January of 2023.
Other highlights:
$73 million for the Income Supplement, which is a 10 percent increase.
$61 million for the Seniors’ Benefit, which includes a 10 percent increase and will provide eligible individuals with up to $1,444 annually.
$1.9 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as well as a $2,500 rebate for consumers who purchase or lease all-electric vehicles and $1,500 rebate for the purchase or lease of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
$2 million to help transition homes whose sole source of heat is oil to electricity.
Metrobus or Go Bus passes, currently available to income support clients in St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Paradise, are being expanded to include seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement, as well as youth-in-care and those receiving youth programming.
$567 million for infrastructure projects, which will help create 3,200 jobs and $390 million in economic activity.
Green technology tax credit of 20 percent to help businesses with specific capital costs for green activities.
10 percent Manufacturing and Processing Investment Tax Credit.
New Film and Video Production Tax Credit.
$2.6 million for a new film and production program for the College of the North Atlantic.
$20 million in new funding to support our tourism, hospitality, arts and cultural industries.
Healthcare:
All four regional health authorities will be amalgamated into one.
Approximately $14 million to improve access to primary health care.
$3 million to increase the number of seats in Memorial University’s Nursing Program and $2.5 million to increase the number of seats in the personal care attendant, practical nursing, paramedicine and other health programs at the College of the North Atlantic.
$1.8 million to continue Health Hubs in Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander and another $3 million for a virtual emergency room in the central region.
An additional $3.3 million for the air ambulance program.
39 positions with an almost $10 million investment for cancer care at the new regional hospital in Corner Brook.
$2.5 million for a new Alcohol Action Plan.
$2.5 million for a new Life Promotion Suicide Prevention Action Plan.
$3.1 million in additional funding for teaching services to meet the rising student population.
$4 million to maintain guidance counsellor and administrator positions added during the pandemic.
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