News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Finance Minister Roger Melanson offered a preliminary reaction to the tabling of the 2015-16 federal budget today.

“In order to create jobs and help families in New Brunswick, we need to get our finances in order and we need the federal government’s help to address our aging population and our aging workforce,” said Melanson. “We will be examining the federal budget in the coming weeks to determine whether it will be of assistance with the critical demographic and financial challenges that we face.”

Melanson noted the federal government’s commitment to support a memorial for Constables David Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Douglas Larche killed in Moncton in June 2014.

Melanson commended his federal counterparts on meeting their commitment to balance the budget. However, he pointed out that there remains a fiscal imbalance in Canada – both among provinces and between levels of government. Many provinces, including New Brunswick, are still facing sizeable deficits and fiscal challenges that must be respected by the federal government.

“Like most Canadians, New Brunswickers recognize the importance of addressing our financial challenges, but we caution the federal government about doing this at the expense of small provinces like New Brunswick,” said Melanson. “We continue to have significant concerns with recent changes in federal transfers such as equalization, the Canada Social Transfer and the Canada Health Transfer and their impact on Atlantic Canada.”

Melanson said the evaluation of the federal budget will continue over the coming weeks, as more information becomes available.