News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Finance Minister Blaine Higgs today said he was impressed with the participation at 20 meetings held across the province to discuss the 2011-12 budget, which will be tabled March 22 in the legislative assembly.

"The amount of engagement that we witnessed throughout New Brunswick from the public and stakeholder groups representing all sectors of society shows me we can and will be able to work together to meet our fiscal challenges," Higgs said.

About 1,300 participants attended the evening meetings, while 260 stakeholders attended the afternoon sessions.

Meetings began with a presentation from Higgs showing the fiscal challenges, demographics and workforce trends, and other information related to public policy. New Brunswick is facing deficits of $820 million this year and $1 billion next year if left unchecked. The provincial debt is estimated to reach $9.6 billion at the end of this fiscal year, March 31.

"New Brunswickers understand better than ever that we are at a crossroads," Higgs said. "Our fiscal challenge is unprecedented, and we have to make some very important decisions to assure we have a future that is sustainable and focused on our priorities. The hundreds of people with whom we have spoken in recent weeks, I believe, understand this more than ever."

In addition to the public meetings, a pre-budget online questionnaire received record participation, with nearly 3,000 New Brunswickers taking part. This compares to 139 who filled out last year's questionnaire. This year's questionnaire resulted in more than 6,600 individual comments being submitted.

In addition, Higgs and the Department of Finance received e-mails from hundreds of New Brunswickers with comments and presentations regarding the province's fiscal challenges. The minster also took part in an hour-long radio call-in show on CBC Radio on Monday, Feb. 7.

Recurring themes at the meetings and in the questionnaire largely centred on health and senior care, education and economic development. There were also many comments on such topics as highway tolls, the harmonized sales tax, provincial assets, pensions, public-private partnerships and local governance.

An analysis is underway on a number of suggestions brought forward at the meetings, and a synopsis of the information gleaned from the meetings as well as the questionnaire will be grouped and posted on the Department of Finance website in the weeks ahead.

"I sincerely thank everyone who participated in our meetings and through their online submissions," said Higgs. "That so many people would take time out of their busy schedules to meet with us proves to me we are heading in the right direction and that everyone wants to do their part in helping our province get back on track."

Following is a synopsis of the number of people who attended the pre-budget meetings:

Saint John
Stakeholders: 34            
Public: 140                    

Moncton                    
Stakeholders: 25                
Public: 160                    

St. Stephen                    
Stakeholders: 16                
Public: 90                    

Miramichi                    
Stakeholders: 20                
Public: 100                    

Bathurst
Stakeholders: 30
Public: 60

Campbellton
Stakeholders: 35
Public: 120

Tracadie-Sheila
Stakeholders: 25
Public: 200

Grand Falls
Stakeholders: 25
Public: 120

Woodstock
Stakeholders: 20
Public: 140

Fredericton
Stakeholders: 30
Public: 200

LINK:

●    Department of Finance: www.gnb.ca/finance