N.S. budget update shows increased revenues, but challenges on the horizon

NDP Leader Claudia Chender said the Tories continue to show that they "can't or won't budget in a transparent manner" that allows the public to know how its money will be spent ahead of time when the provincial budget is introduced and debated each spring.

But it's become "a fairly predictable rhythm" for the PCs to project a deficit at budget time and then show increased revenues during subsequent updates that shrink the deficit and lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in over-budget spending, she told reporters.

"There is no reason, in my estimation, that we need to engage in this sort of backroom process of cutting cheques throughout the year that aren't accounted for," she said.

Chender said she's concerned about the underspending on child care and from the former municipal affairs and housing department. The responsibility for housing was shifted last week into the newly created Growth and Development Department, which replaces Economic Development.

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