Summary#
Bill 22, the Supplementary Appropriations Act 2025-2026 (1), would authorize spending from New Brunswick’s Consolidated Fund; it does not amend another Act. Its stated purpose is to pay public-service expenses from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, that are not otherwise provided for.
- The bill allows up to $465 million to be spent, but does not require the full amount to be spent.
- Spending must follow the votes in Supplementary Estimates, Volume 1. The bill lists amounts for eight areas: General Government ($11 million); Health ($323 million); Justice and Public Safety ($9 million); Natural Resources ($14 million); New Brunswick Housing Corporation ($6 million); Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour ($7 million); Social Development ($92 million); and Tourism, Heritage and Culture ($3 million).
- The bill is at first reading, so it is not law yet. Whether it will pass is uncertain.
What it means for you#
- Departments and public bodies: The bill would give authority to spend up to the listed amounts, subject to the votes in the supplementary estimates.
- Taxpayers: It would authorize use of public funds. The bill does not change taxes or create a fee.
- People using public services: The bill itself does not specify which services, programs, or expenses would receive the money, so it does not establish a particular service change.
Money#
The bill authorizes up to $465 million in spending from the Consolidated Fund for 2025–26.
- The largest listed amount is $323 million for Health, followed by $92 million for Social Development. The other allocations are listed above.
- The bill does not say how much will actually be spent. No publicly available information.
What is unclear#
- The supplied material does not include Supplementary Estimates, Volume 1, which sets out the votes the spending must follow. No publicly available information in the supplied material about the specific expenses or programs funded.
- The bill does not give an expected final spending amount or explain why each area needs its allocation.
- The bill does not state an effective date or explain how the authority would be applied if the Act comes into force after the spending period begins.
Case for#
- The bill could provide authority to pay for public-service expenses that are not covered by existing appropriations.
- Requiring spending to follow votes in the supplementary estimates ties the authority to specified spending categories.
- The largest allocations go to Health and Social Development, though the bill does not identify the services or expenses involved.
Case against#
- The bill authorizes a large amount of spending, while its text gives little detail about the expenses behind each department’s total.
- Without the supplementary estimates, readers cannot assess what the money is for or what results it is meant to support.
- The bill permits spending up to $465 million but does not state how much is expected to be used.