US EditionHighlights from Nova Scotia’s 2026-27 provincial budget
The $18.9 billion budget includes over 1,000 job cuts in the public sector and aims to reduce a $1.2 billion deficit through multi-year spending reductions.
- On Feb. 23, 2026, Nova Scotia's budget projects a $1.2-billion deficit for 2026-27, with $18.9 billion in expenses and $17.3 billion in revenues.
- Because population-driven revenue growth has slowed, the Nova Scotia government says prior off-budget spending by the Progressive Conservatives since 2021 increased fiscal pressure, and the Houston government faces no windfall this year.
- The plan mandates five per cent annual cuts to the civil service and three per cent to the broader public service for four years, with this year’s $300 million cuts equal to over 1,000 jobs.
- Overall expenses are expected to rise roughly 7.7 per cent, with net debt forecast to grow by $1.4 billion to $27.9 billion, despite the government’s $3.5-billion capital plan.
- Starting Oct. 1, drivers of fully electric vehicles and hybrids face new fees, financial institutions see a capital tax rise to six per cent raising $37.6 million annually, funding $1.2-billion hospital and $873.8-million long-term care projects.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Prince George Citizen
CP Nova Scotia budget has $1.2-billion deficit, cuts to public service
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia's finance minister has tabled a budget with a $1.2-billion deficit and cuts to the public service. John Lohr projects that the deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year will be slightly smaller than the $1.
'Defending Nova Scotia' – Analysis of N.S. Budget 2026 - Enterprise Canada
Balancing ongoing deficits, more debt with spending reductions On Monday, Finance and Treasury Board Minister John Lohr presented the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative government’s fifth provincial budget, Defending Nova Scotia. Amid a cautious public mood and tumultuous international trade environment, the budget offsets continuing annual increases in spending on core services with initiatives to reduce the size of government. While last yea…
Major cuts amongst $1.2B deficit budget released by N.S. » The Laker News
HALIFAX: In this year’s budget, Nova Scotia is forging a path toward powering its future, building stronger, healthier communities and ensuring the province’s fiscal sustainability. Finance and Treasury Board Minister John Lohr tabled Budget 2026-27: Defending Nova Scotia on February 23. “We have invested heavily to make up for more than a decade of underspending that led to one crisis or another – in healthcare, housing and affordability. We ha…
Tim Houston's austerity budget envisions huge deficits, staff cuts, and a billion dollars in additional cuts by 2030
The budget tabled today also slashes climate change-related science. The post Tim Houston’s austerity budget envisions huge deficits, staff cuts, and a billion dollars in additional cuts by 2030 appeared first on Halifax Examiner.
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