NSNDP statement on budget update, additional appropriations

HALIFAX – The following is a statement from NSNDP Leader Claudia Chender following the December budget update:

“Today’s budget update shows that the Houston government either can’t or won’t budget in a transparent manner. We are once again on track to reach a billion dollars in additional appropriations for this fiscal year. We have a budget process for a reason, and Nova Scotians deserve to know how their money is being spent.

Despite all of this unbudgeted spending, we’re also seeing underspending on housing. Nova Scotians remain in a housing crisis, as homes people can afford remain scarce. The Houston government is also underspending on child care, and families continue to struggle to find the care they need for their children.

This is a government with the fiscal capacity to make the necessary investments in housing and child care. They could permanently take the tax off of all food at the grocery store which is something New Democrats have been pushing for years.

All of these discussions should happen in a transparent manner during the budget process, but this government prefers to use Nova Scotians’ money for their own ends with little accountability to the people of our province.”

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