FREDERICTON, N.B. – Finance Minister Blaine Higgs will once again tour New Brunswick early next year, reporting on the provincial government’s finances and soliciting public input on how to address its fiscal challenges.
"Returning to balanced budgets is a multi-year process and requires the support of New Brunswickers,” said Higgs. “We have received some excellent ideas and comments during the last two years which we have used to rebuild our province’s finances. We hope for similar participation this year as we deal with lower-than-projected revenues, which are affecting our overall budget forecast."
Locations and times of the public meetings will be posted on the provincial government's Taxpayers FIRST website once confirmed. As in past years, a meeting specifically for stakeholder groups will be held.
The Taxpayers FIRST website, developed to receive comments from the public, will feature an expanded Share Your Views section this year. It will be the principal means disseminating the 2013-14 pre-budget fiscal report and receiving input.
"Since its launch on Dec. 16, 2011, the site has logged nearly 32,000 visits," said Higgs. "Our government has breathed new life into this pre-budget process by using it as a forum to provide taxpayers with a report on our finances and show we are taking action on their suggestions.”
The site will also include a summary of ideas that have been received to date and the provincial government's actions related to each.
New Brunswickers may also participate:
By writing the minister:
The Hon. Blaine Higgs,
Minister of Finance,
P.O. Box 6000,
Fredericton, N.B.
E3B 5H1
Or by fax:
506-457-4989
Organizations may register for the stakeholder meeting by contacting Marie-Ève Grégoire at the Department of Finance, 506-453-2565, marie-eve.gregoire@gnb.ca.
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