Over $150 million in March Madness spending, no plan for economic recovery

Halifax - Tim Houston’s Conservatives are throwing caution to the wind and spending every cent they can before they table a budget. The government has allowed more than $155.6 million in unbudgeted, end-of-year spending.

“The Houston government was fortunate to have a large operating surplus for this year. However, instead of outlining a strategy for how to deploy this money to help people in Nova Scotia, they have scattered little bits of money in a large, unfocused number of directions,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill.

On their own merits, many of the new, unallocated spending items are worthy projects, but together, they show a government rushing to spend an unexpected windfall before the fiscal year ends.

For example, the $875 grant to students came well after students had to pay their tuition fees in January. While the money was welcome, it would have been better to help students when tuition fees were due – or better yet, lower tuition fees for all.

“I worked in the Department of Finance. I know March Madness spending when I see it. It seems like they are throwing money at problems instead of trying to fix the root causes,” said Lisa Lachance, NDP Finance spokesperson. “It would have been better for the government to come up with a clear plan, with measurable targets, and to use that surplus to improve people’s lives rather than throwing the money around scattershot.”

When the budget is tabled next week, the NDP will be looking to ensure the government keeps its promises, including more than $400 million in new spending on public health care.

Click here to view the list of March Madness spending, as tracked by the NDP Caucus.

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