Finance Minister Begins Pre-Budget Tour

Nova Scotia Finance Minister Neil LeBlanc kicked off his provincial pre-budget speaking tour on the South Shore today, Feb. 11, telling members of the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce to look for lower taxes in the 2003-04 budget.

Nova Scotia must remain competitive with other provinces, the minister said, and lowering taxes is the best way to ensure our economy is attractive to investors and to those wishing to live and work in our province.

"This government believes in lower taxes, in new investment and in new jobs to help create a more prosperous Nova Scotia," said Mr. LeBlanc. He added that Nova Scotia risks losing out on the new investments and new jobs that are crucial to building a vibrant diversifed economy, if it does not remain competitive with other jurisdictions.

Mr. LeBlanc said the upcoming budget will strike a reasoned and reasonable balance between new investments in programs and services, lower taxes and managing the debt.

"As we have in each and every year of our mandate, we will once again continue to invest in those areas that are critical to helping Nova Scotia become more self-reliant and more prosperous. In addition to balancing the budget and lowering taxes, we will once again invest in better health care, better education and in better roads," said Mr. LeBlanc.

The finance minister will speak at the Cape Breton Chamber of Commerce in Sydney on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The following are confirmed speaking dates in other areas of the province: Truro, Feb. 18; Yarmouth, Feb. 21; Antigonish, March 4; Port Hawkesbury, March 18; Halifax, March 25.