NB Budget: Education, Health Care Spared
FREDERICTON—Despite fears that education and health care may face cuts in New Brunswick’s austerity budget, the two sectors were largely spared.
“New Brunswickers have been clear that they will not accept deep cuts in education and healthcare,” said Finance Minister Roger Melanson in his budget address.
Over 19,000 New Brunswickers work in the health care system, while a further 17,000 work in the school system.
The government expects that about 200 teachers will retire in 2016. Only 150 of those will be replaced, part of a long-standing policy of decreasing the number of teachers as student enrolment declines.
Operating grants for universities will continue to be frozen. The government will cap tuition increases at two per cent for New Brunswick students. However, there will be no cap on tuition fees for out-of-province students.
The government says it will work with the province’s universities to establish a four-year tuition fee schedule to provide students with greater certainty on the cost of their education.
“New Brunswickers have told us that the best way to contain costs in health care is to be proactive and healthier,” said Melanson.
“However, without pursuing innovative and transformational opportunities in the delivery of our health care, cost pressures will continue to increase. Simply directing more money at our health care challenges, without changing our approach, will not change our results.”
Part of the plans for change in the provincial health care system is a move toward a community-based, primary care system. Melanson announced that the government has entered into formal discussions with the New Brunswick Medical Society and Medavie Blue Cross to “explore how we can build upon our existing strengths to develop an enhanced community-based, primary health care service.”