Nova Scotia Budget 2021-22 Invests in the Valley Region

The Rankin government’s first budget includes the single largest increase in income assistance in the province’s history and other investments in key sectors that will benefit the Valley region, including the hospitality industry, long-term care, public health, mental health and the environment.

It lays a solid foundation for a strong economy in which business can grow and provides a path to balance in four years.

Finance and Treasury Board Minister Labi Kousoulis tabled the budget in the legislature Thursday, March 25.

“Our government strives to improve the lives of all Nova Scotians and defines progress through economic growth as well as well-being and quality of life,” said Mr. Kousoulis. “The province’s next chapter is being written right now — and it tells the story of a modern Nova Scotia on the path to balance.”

Budget 2021-22, A Fair and Prosperous Future: Path to Balance, estimates a deficit of $584.9 million with revenue of $11.8 billion and expenses, after consolidation adjustments, of $12.4 billion.

Budget 2021-22 highlights that will benefit the Valley Region include:

• $35.2 million in additional funds to increase the standard household rate for adults who receive income assistance by $100 per month
• $24.2 million to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to Nova Scotians, including Annapolis Royal, Berwick, Greenwood, Middleton and New Minas
• $12.3 million increase for new mental health programming, including single brief intervention sessions to provide rapid access to mental health supports, withdrawal management hubs to support Nova Scotians with substance-related harm and addictions, and e-mental health options to increase access
• $467 million for Nova Scotia’s roads, highways and bridges, and equipment, including continued twinning of Highway 101 (Three Mile Plains to Falmouth)
• $22.6 million increase to implement findings of the Expert Panel on Long Term Care
• $2 million to create six positions at the new Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives to address systemic racism, promote diversity and improve the economic, social, educational and health outcomes of all Nova Scotians
• $320,000 increase for the Accessibility Directorate, for a total of $2.2 million this year, to support the goal of an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030
• $26 million for new Green Fund climate change programs — a new climate change strategy for clean growth, a Nova Scotia regional climate representative at the Atlantic Data Hub and funding for climate change research and risk assessment
• a total of $1.02 billion for long-term care and home care this year
• $252,000 to expand the Office of Immigration and Population Growth to attract and retain more newcomers, adding to our record high population
• reduce government regulatory burden on business by $10 million in 2021, in addition to the $50 million in savings achieved since 2017

Quick Facts:

• the budget contains the final forecast for 2020-21, which updates the deficit to $705.5 million, down from $778.8 million projected in December
• additional appropriations related to the 2020-21 forecast, totalling $95.8 million, account for unbudgeted spending by eight departments and offices and assistance to universities
• there was $617.3 million spent on COVID-19 related expenses in 2020-21

Additional Resources:

For more budget highlights, visit: https://novascotia.ca/budget/

To view the budget documents, visit: https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/budget-documents-2021-2022