Minister Tables Capital Plan 2011-12

A capital plan that makes government investment in provincial infrastructure projects more open and accountable has been tabled in advance of the budget for the first time.

Finance Minister Graham Steele tabled the 2011-12 Capital Plan today, Dec. 9. It lists major projects that will be started or continue next year, subject to the approval of the legislature in the spring. These include road projects, schools, hospitals, community housing, jails, information system and many other public buildings and infrastructure projects.

"Today, we become the first government to table a capital plan in advance of the spring budget. This new practice makes government operations more open and accountable," said Mr. Steele.

Traditionally, there is no place in the budget documents where all the proposed capital projects are listed.

The capital budget for 2011-12 is estimated at $560 million. The annual plan responds to a recommendation accepted by government in the Deloitte Report to table a capital plan each fall.

"This plan makes it clear to industry what they can expect in terms of government construction projects that will start in the coming year, making it easier for them to prepare for their involvement, should they want to bid on jobs," said Mr. Steele. "It should also make it easier for companies that do certain types of construction, like road building, to plan for what is, in Nova Scotia, a relatively short construction season."

The plan is preliminary and will adapt as government makes changes and improvements to its capital budget, which is part of the 2011-12 provincial budget.

"We're pleased that government listened to industry and tabled a capital plan this fall, well before the construction season begins," said Construction Association of Nova Scotia president Carol MacCulloch. "Capital investments are critical, but the detail is often buried or not available in the annual budget. Now it is all in one place and that will help us to plan. It will also allow us to have a more informed discussion with government about the level of capital investment needed to sustain our public infrastructure."

The capital plan is available at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .

FOR BROADCAST ONLY

Government released a capital plan today (December 9th) that

lists 560-million-dollars in building projects for next year,

including schools, roads, and information technology projects.

Finance Minister Graham Steele says this is the first

government to table a capital plan in advance of the spring

budget, and this new practice makes government operations more

open and accountable.