Summary#
This bill gives the New Brunswick government approval to spend up to $465 million in extra funds during the 2025–26 fiscal year (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026). It is a “supplementary” budget, meaning it adds money on top of what was already approved in the main budget for services that need more support.
- Total added funding: $465 million from the province’s Consolidated Fund (general revenues).
- Money can only be used for items listed in the government’s Supplementary Estimates (Volume 1) for 2025–26.
- Largest increases go to Health ($323 million) and Social Development ($92 million).
- Smaller amounts go to Natural Resources, Justice and Public Safety, Post-Secondary Education, Housing, Tourism, and general government operations.
- This bill does not set new taxes or fees; it only authorizes spending.
What it means for you#
- Patients and families
- Extra health funding may help hospitals, clinics, and long-term care deal with higher demand, staff costs, or wait times.
- Seniors, low‑income residents, and people with disabilities
- Added Social Development funds may support income assistance, disability services, long-term care, or child and family services.
- Renters and people seeking housing help
- The Housing Corporation gets added funds that may support housing programs or subsidies.
- Students and job seekers
- Extra money for Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour may support training, student aid, or employment programs.
- Communities and resource users
- Natural Resources funding may support forest management, conservation, or wildfire prevention and response.
- Public safety
- Justice and Public Safety funding may support policing, emergency management, or correctional services.
- Arts, culture, and tourism businesses
- Tourism, Heritage and Culture funding may support events, attractions, and marketing.
- Taxpayers
- The bill does not raise taxes by itself. It increases spending authority for this year. The effect on the deficit or debt depends on overall revenues and other budget choices.
Expenses#
Estimated annual cost: about CAD $465 million in additional spending authority for 2025–26.
- Health: $323 million
- Social Development: $92 million
- Natural Resources: $14 million
- General Government: $11 million
- Justice and Public Safety: $9 million
- Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour: $7 million
- New Brunswick Housing Corporation: $6 million
- Tourism, Heritage and Culture: $3 million
- Source of funds: provincial Consolidated Fund (general revenues)
- One-time authorization for the 2025–26 fiscal year; does not, by itself, change taxes or fees.
Proponents’ View#
- Ensures essential services like hospitals, seniors’ care, and social supports have enough funding to meet higher demand and costs.
- Gives government flexibility to respond to pressures that were not fully known when the main budget passed.
- Helps protect vulnerable residents by topping up Social Development and Housing programs.
- Supports public safety and emergency readiness, including wildfire response and policing.
- Maintains economic and community activity through training, tourism, and culture funding.
Opponents’ View#
- Adds to overall spending and may increase the deficit or debt if not matched by higher revenues or savings.
- Lacks program-level detail in the bill itself, making it harder for the public to see exactly what will be funded.
- Risks making temporary “top-ups” a recurring budget practice instead of fixing underlying cost pressures.
- Some may argue the mix is unbalanced (for example, too much to Health, not enough to housing or training), or not clearly tied to measurable results.
- Could reduce future fiscal flexibility if ongoing needs continue at higher levels.