News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Finance Minister Blaine Higgs is inviting New Brunswickers to attend one of 10 upcoming public meetings focused on spending priorities for the 2011-12 budget.

The meetings will be held between Jan. 17 and Feb. 2 in communities throughout the province.

Higgs said a record number of New Brunswickers have already become involved in the pre-budget consultation process. An online questionnaire posted to the department website on Dec. 17 has received more than 1,100 responses, with 2,600 individual comments to date.

"I am extremely pleased that New Brunswickers are so interested in the pre-budget process," Higgs said. "There are some daunting challenges ahead and the only way we will achieve success and put our fiscal house in order is for all of us to be working together. I want to assure New Brunswickers that their contributions are important and each submission will be reviewed. I look forward to touring the province beginning Monday to continue to engage people in this important dialogue."

The questionnaire includes a series of questions designed to help determine public priorities as the provincial government prepares the 2011-12 budget which will be tabled on March 22 at the legislative assembly.

The questionnaire will remain on the department website until Feb. 2. Respondents are asked to indicate their priorities in such areas as health care, education, social services, public infrastructure, and other services.

There are questions on spending reductions; on how to move towards balanced budgets and in what period of time; and on health spending. An analysis of the questionnaire results will be posted on the website after the deadline for submissions has passed.

New Brunswickers can also participate by written submissions to the minister, by fax, 506-457-4989, or by e-mail, [email protected] or [email protected].

The pre-budget consultation tour begins in Saint John on Jan. 17 and will include 20 meetings with stakeholder meetings in the afternoon, and public meetings in the evening.

Organizations may register for stakeholder meetings by contacting Marie-Ève Grégoire at 506-453-2451 or by e-mail: [email protected].

Following is a full schedule of public meetings:

Saint John - Monday, Jan. 17
2  p.m. - stakeholders
7 p.m. - public meeting
Lily Lake Pavilion - 55 Lake Dr. S.

Moncton - Tuesday, Jan. 18
2 p.m. - stakeholders
7 p.m. - public meeting
Moncton Lions Community Centre, 473 St. George St.

St. Stephen - Wednesday, Jan. 19
2 p.m. - stakeholders  
7 p.m.-  public meeting
Royal Canadian Legion, 43 Queen St. W.

Fredericton - Thursday, Jan. 20  
2 p.m. - stakeholders, Room 209, Centennial Building, 670 King St.
7 p.m. - public meeting, Killarney Lake Lodge (Rotary Room), 1600 St. Mary's St.

Miramichi - Monday, Jan. 24  
2 p.m. - stakeholders
7 p.m. - public meeting
New Brunswick Community College, Miramichi, Room B1103A, St. Michael's Building, 52 University Ave.  

Bathurst - Tuesday Jan. 25
2 p.m. - stakeholders  
7 p.m. - public meeting
K.C. Irving Regional Centre, 850 Sainte Anne St.

Campbellton - Wednesday, Jan. 26
2 p.m. - stakeholders  
7 p.m. - public Meeting
Matapedia Room, Super 8, 26 Duke St.

Tracadie-Sheila - Monday, Jan. 31
2 p.m. - stakeholders
7 p.m. - public meeting
Villégiature Deux Rivières; 100 Deux Rivières St.

Grand Falls - Tuesday, Feb. 1
2 p.m. - stakeholders
7 p.m. - public meeting
Quality Inn Près du Lac, 10039, Route 144

Woodstock - Wednesday, Feb. 2
2 p.m. - stakeholders
7 p.m. - public meeting
Royal Canadian Legion, 109 Carleton St.

LINK:

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