N.S. Tory government defeated on money bill
May 4, 2009
HALIFAX -- After three years in power, Nova Scotia's sometimes gaffe-prone minority government fell on Monday, setting the stage for an early June election call. Premier Rodney MacDonald says he will meet with Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis on Tuesday to discuss the fate of his government, but he expects an election to be held on June 9. The Conservative government lost a vote Monday on a bill that would have allowed it to miss legally required debt payments, which it considered a matter of confidence. The government's defeat was widely expected sometime this week and it came as no surprise to MacDonald.
(...)
The government had introduced its 2009-10 budget earlier Monday, although it was largely a political exercise as the document will die with an election call. [bolding added]
Source:
CTV News

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NOTE: Even though the government was defeated (not on the budget itself, but rather a separate money bill) and an election has been called, the budget papers contain a lot of useful information on provincial government expenditures and business plans and suchlike. You can find those by clicking the first link below and scrolling down the "2009" column. You can also find budget papers for earlier years back to 1996 in the left-hand column on that page.

Nova Scotia Budget 2009-2010 Budget Papers
May 4, 2009
"The province of Nova Scotia is tabling its eighth consecutive balanced budget in 2009–2010, estimating a surplus of $4 million."
- links to all budget documents, including the Budget Address, Highlights, Budget Bulletins, Estimates, Supplementary Detailed Estimates, Crown Corporation Business Plans, Government Business Plan and more

February 2009 Pre-Budget Consultations (PDF - 35K, 13 pages)

Earlier NS Budgets - back to 1996

- Go to the Nova Scotia Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nsbkmrk.htm

Prince Edward Island 2009 Budget - main budget page
April 16, 2009

Provincial Budget Address

Highlights [PDF - 535K]

Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure [PDF -5 MB]

Related link:

P.E.I. forecasts $85M deficit, announces new stroke unit
April 16, 2009
The P.E.I. government is projecting big increases in revenue in 2009-10, but even bigger increases in spending, settling on a deficit of just over $85 million.The Department of Health is the biggest beneficiary of the new spending, with an extra $28 million. The biggest announcement from that department is a new 10-bed stroke unit at Charlottetown's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Previously, specialized stroke treatment was only available out of province. Education also got a big boost, split between two departments. Innovation and Advanced Learning added $22 million to its budget, including $16 million in job training through Labour Market Development, while $5 million will be shared among the province's three post-secondary schools.
Source:
CBC Prince Edward Island

- Go to the Prince Edward Island Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/pebkmrk.htm

Alberta Budget 2009, Building On Our Strength - main budget page
April 7, 2009

Budget 2009 builds on strength to foster growth and support programs for Albertans
Stelmach government has flexibility to deal with difficult times
News Release
April 7, 2009
Budget highlights:
* $23.2 billion over three years to build health facilities, schools, and roads - includes funding for carbon capture and storage, and GreenTRIP.
* 3.7-per-cent increase in operating spending to address population growth and inflation.
* Priority areas of health, education, advanced education, seniors and children services account for 75 per cent of the operating increase.
* Taxes remain lowest in Canada; tobacco tax increases and liquor markup is raised.
* Forecast $36.4 billion in spending in 2009-10; $31.7 billion in revenue.
* $4.7 billion deficit forecast for 2009-10; surplus forecast in 2012-13.
* $2 billion in fiscal corrective actions to be taken in 2010 if situation does not improve beyond forecast.
* New fiscal framework allows for transfers from Sustainability Fund to offset deficits.
Source:
News releases (9), Charts and graphs (17), Audio files (8) <===numbers in parentheses represent how many of each type of info

Highlights (PDF - 167K, 2 pages)
Government has a 4-point plan that will help position Alberta for a strong economic recovery.
Emphasis will be placed on:
* keeping a close eye on government spending;
* drawing down our savings to protect the programs and services Albertans depend on;
* continuing to invest in public infrastructure to support jobs and the economy; and
* promoting Alberta to a global market.

Related links:

Small hike in welfare budget criticized
By Trish Audette
April 15, 2009
Despite a recession that has cost the provincial economy more than 44,000 jobs since the start of the year, the government topped up income support funding by just two per cent in this year's budget, drawing criticism from those who work with unemployed Albertans. But Employment and Immigration Minister Hector Goudreau said the cash injection to Alberta Works, which funds people on welfare, should be seen as a positive "in that it wasn't cut. I think that the mandate is not to provide welfare or financial support. Our mandate is to try to take people and put them into training positions and get them into the workforce as soon as possible," he said. "We're trying to move people through the system."
Source:
The Edmonton Journal

Alberta budget to eliminate health-care premiums by 2009
April 7
Saying the time has come for Albertans to reap added benefits from the province's prosperity, Premier Ed Stelmach's government unveiled a budget Tuesday that promises to eliminate health care premiums on Jan. 1, 2009. (...) Government figures suggest the change will save the average family $1,056 a year, with total savings to Albertans and businesses estimated at $1 billion. The 2008-09 financial plan also calls for record spending of $37 billion, up 9.7 per cent over last year, fuelled by $11 billion in energy revenues and a growing tax base. Included in that is $22.2 billion over three years to build roads, schools, health-care facilities and other critical infrastructure.
Source:
CBC Edmonton

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Alberta gov't tables budget with $4.7B deficit
April 7, 2009
The 2009 Budget unveiled on Tuesday has a dubious claim: it marks the biggest deficit in Alberta history. After 15 years of delivering balanced budgets, the Province announced it expects to be $4.7 billion in the red by the end of the fiscal year, followed by projected deficits of $2.4 and $1.8 billion for 2010 and 2011. The province will also once again begin borrowing money. Finance Minister Iris Evans believes going into debt is worth it if it will keep Albertans working.
Source:
CTV Edmonton

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Alberta to post the biggest deficit in its history
April 7, 2009
EDMONTON — Alberta expects to post a $4.7-billion deficit this year — the largest in provincial history — as the former darling of the Canadian economy sinks into the red over four consecutive years. The resource-rich province has been brought to its knees by collapsing energy prices, a slumping stock market and declining corporate investment. But despite all the problems, the province introduced a 2009-2010 budget yesterday that has adopted a status quo fiscal plan that signals a major departure from other Canadian jurisdictions. Governments across the country have either slashed corporate taxes or injected money into infrastructure programs to save jobs and kick-start the troubled economy.
Source:
The Globe and Mail

- Go to the Alberta Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/abkmrk.htm
- Go to the Anti-poverty Strategies and Campaigns page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm

2009 Ontario Budget - main budget page
[ version française ]
March 26, 2009
- incl. links to all budget papers (some of which appear below)

Ontario Budget Creates Jobs for Families Today
and Builds Economy for Tomorrow
McGuinty Government Invests $32.5 Billion
in Infrastructure, Proposes Sales Tax Reform and $10.6 Billion in Tax Relief for People
News Release
March 26, 2009
The McGuinty government's 2009 Budget lays out a plan to help families affected by the global economic crisis and positions Ontario to become more competitive for a more prosperous future. The Ontario government is investing $34 billion over two years to stimulate the economy. This timely and targeted investment includes $32.5 billion in infrastructure spending and nearly $700 million in additional funding for skills training. This will preserve or create more than 300,000 jobs over the next two years to support Ontario's families and communities. The government is proposing to accelerate the phase-in of the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) two years ahead of schedule, increase social assistance rates and invest in social housing infrastructure.

Ontario Budget 2009
HTML version - Table of Contents + links to individual sections
PDF version (1.2MB, 171 pages)

Budget Highlights

Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy and the 2009 Budget
"(...) The Poverty Reduction Strategy' target is to reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over the next 5 years. All low-income families with children would see the benefits of this strategy, which would help lift 90,000 children out of poverty. The government, however, cannot do this alone. Meeting this goal depends on having a willing partner in the federal government, as well as a growing economy.
- incl. info on enhancements to the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB), tax relief for families and individuals, a new youth opportunities strategy, community hubs, Social Assistance rate increases and review of social assistance "with the goal of removing barriers and increasing opportunity — with a particular focus on people trying to move into employment from social assistance."
(Hmmmm - the terminology used here reminds me of the way Mike Harris used to describe his hand-up-not-handout-USA-Jobs-First-style-Common-Sense-Revolution approach - Gilles.)
- also incl. info on support for housing, Ontario's minimum wage, a new Deprivation Index for Ontario, the Poverty Reduction Act, and initiatives the McGuinty government has introduced since 2003-04 to support low-income families and individuals

Backgrounder: Investing in Children and Families
- incl. * Accelerating Ontario Child Benefit Payments * Establishing Community Hubs * Supporting Ontarians Receiving Social Assistance * Support for Social Housing * Stable Funding for Rent Banks * Assisting Low-Income Workers * Support for Seniors * Tax Relief for People

--------------------
Related links:
--------------------

Ontario makes progress on poverty reduction, but job still unfinished
March 26, 2009
Today’s budget took crucial steps to bring Ontario closer to the goal of reducing poverty by 25% by 2013. But the budget needed to go further to help low-income individuals and families get by in current tough economic times, said the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction. (...) The 25 in 5 Network identified five critical areas for government action, released in its Blueprint for Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction in February. The budget delivered on the Ontario Child Benefit, made significant progress on affordable housing, fell short on social assistance, missed the mark entirely on early learning and child care, and went halfway on labour standards.
Source:
25 in 5 Poverty Reduction Network
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more
than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty.

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From the Wellesley Institute Blog:
[ Wellesley Institute ]

Ontario budget 2009: Battered social infrastructure gets little relief
March 27, 2009
By Rick Blickstead
Ontario’s critically important social infrastructure is taking a battering in the current recession, but the 2009 provincial budget offers almost no relief. Community-based health, social services and housing providers are on the front lines in delivering the practical and basic supports that people who are suffering the most in the current recession desperately need. Community health and service providers are facing the double-whammy of increased demand for services while funding continues to deteriorate.

Ontario budget 2009: Health inequalities virtually ignored
March 27, 2009
By Bob Gardner
The deep and persistent inequalities in health among Ontarians have been all but ignored in the 2009 Ontario budget. Over three times as many low-income adults report their health to be only fair or poor as high-income; over 50% more low income adult men have two or more chronic conditions than high-income.

Ontario budget 2009: Ontario
housing policy now being written by feds
March 26, 2009
By Michael Shapcott
Ontario housing policy is now being written by the federal government – that’s the grim news in the 2009 provincial budget, released today. While the Ontario government promised in its poverty reduction strategy that it would launch a provincial housing consultation in the spring of 2009, the provincial budget sets out a made-on-Parliament Hill housing plan for Ontario.

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Ontario Must Move on Social Assistance Reform: Budget 2009
TORONTO (March 26, 2009) - The McGuinty government’s budget has taken important steps to reduce poverty in Ontario. However, fundamental reform of social assistance remains a necessity, particularly as growing numbers of Ontarians lose their jobs.
Source:
Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Ontario Budget 2009: Big Stimulus, Big Deficits
by Marie-Christine Bernard, Sabrina Browarski and Matthew Stewart
The coming year will prove to be a year of “firsts” for Ontario, the traditional engine of growth in the Canadian economy. For the first time since the inception of provincial trade records in 1981, Ontario will record a net trade deficit. This unfortunate development will trickle into the medium-term outlook for the province even as U.S. consumer sentiment revives. Ontario is also poised to go from “have” to “have not” status for the first time, and it will receive $347 million in federal equalization payments.
Source:
Conference Board of Canada

---

Ontario to hit record $14.1B deficit in 2009: budget
Finance minister announces accord with Ottawa to bring in single sales tax
March 26, 2009
Ontario will rack up a record $14.1-billion deficit in 2009 as it commits billions to infrastructure projects and job retraining aimed at pulling the province out of a recession, provincial Finance Minister Dwight Duncan revealed on Thursday in the tabling of his $108.9-billion budget. The fiscal plan also proposes corporate tax cuts to ease costs for struggling businesses and stimulate investment in Ontario’s sagging economy, which has shed hundreds of thousands of jobs in recent years.
Source:
CBC

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Housing, child benefit items praised
But activists argue spending falls short on improvements to welfare, child care
March 27, 2009
By Laurie Monsebraaten
Anti-poverty activists praised the Ontario budget for moving ahead with the Liberal government's pledge to fight poverty. But the measures outlined in yesterday's budget fall considerably short of the $5 billion over two years the activists had called on the government to spend to help stimulate the province's faltering economy and prevent more Ontarians from plunging into poverty.
Source:
The Toronto Star
[ More Budget Coverage in The Star <=== over two dozen budget-related links ]

---

- Go to the Ontario Government Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/onbkmrk.htm

Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2009 - main budget page
- incl. links to all budget papers (some of which appear below)

* Budget Speech
* Budget Highlights
* Estimates
* The Economy

* Past Budgets
* Department of Finance

Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation
March 26, 2009
News Release
The Williams Government today unveiled Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation, a financial plan that includes strategic investments to strengthen the province’s economy, while protecting and enhancing important social programs. Budget 2009 provides significant economic stimulus, benefiting the people and the communities of Newfoundland and Labrador, and includes targeted expenditures in economic development, infrastructure, health, education, poverty reduction, and the environment.

More News Releases - links to 12 releases in all

Standing Strong in the Fight Against Poverty
March 26, 2009
News Release
The Williams Government continues to stand strong and lead the way in its fight against poverty by investing $132.2 million in Budget 2009 to help individuals and families with low incomes. The 18 new significant initiatives announced today will help realize the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy’s commitment of becoming the jurisdiction with the lowest poverty rates in Canada by 2014.

Related links:

N.L. takes calculated risk with $750M deficit
Civil service untouched, program spending increased amid financial chaos
March 26, 2009
Once flush with oil-fuelled cash, Newfoundland and Labrador said Thursday it is willing to take on a massive deficit in the coming year, while expecting a return to balanced books in relatively short order. "We're cautiously optimistic that the economy will rebound," Finance Minister Jerome Kennedy told reporters Tuesday before he brought down a budget that not only avoids cuts to jobs and programs, but also raises spending on health, social services and infrastructure.
Source:
CBC

Manitoba Budget 2009 - main budget page
- incl. links to all budget papers (some of which appear below)

Budget charts a balanced, steady course
Continues to Invest in Health, Training and Skills Development;
Stimulates Economy with $1.6-billion Infrastructure Investment: Selinger
News Release
March 25, 2009
Budget 2009 charts a balanced, steady course by investing in health, education and training, stimulates the economy through infrastructure investments and is the 10th consecutive balanced budget since 1999, making this the first full decade of balanced budgets by a government in Manitoba in more than 50 years, Finance Minister Greg Selinger said today.

* Budget Speech (PDF - 968K, 26 pages)
* Budget In Brief (PDF - 1MB, 2 pages)
* Budget (PDF - 687K, 46 pages)
* Budget Papers - The Economy - Supplementary Financial Information - Recent Developments in Fiscal Arrangements -Taxation Adjustments - The Manitoba Advantage - Improved Infrastructure and Fiscally Sound Economic Stimulus

* Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue (PDF - 1.3MB, 188 pages)
* Budget-related news releases:
--- Budget 2009 Highlights
--- Budget 2009 Keeps Manitoba Deficit Free With 10th Consecutive Balanced Budget
--- Manitoba's Economic Plan
--- Budget 2009 Continues To Reduce Taxes Without Running A Deficit

Source:
Manitoba Finance

Related links:

Manitoba hikes user fees, boosts spending — and posts small surplus
March 25, 2009
The government of Manitoba tabled a $12.7-billion balanced budget Wednesday that tries to stave off economic contraction by hiking tobacco taxes and user fees to pay for $226 million in new spending. While most provinces are projecting multi-year deficits, Manitoba is forecasting a $48-million surplus for the upcoming fiscal year. But the province's accumulated debt will still climb by $861 million in 2009-10 as a result of pension obligations and increased capital investments.
Source:
CBC

- Go to the Manitoba Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/mbkmrk.htm

Yukon Budget 2009 - main budget page
March 19, 2009
- includes links to all budget papers + links to previous years' budgets

2009-10 Budget Continuing to Invest in Yukon’s Future
News Release
March 19, 2009
WHITEHORSE – The Government of Yukon’s 2009-10 Capital and Operations and Maintenance budget, totaling $1 billion and $3 million, was tabled in the legislative assembly today by Premier Dennis Fentie.(...) This year will be the seventh consecutive year-end with a budget surplus, which includes $240.6 million in Capital spending and $762.6 million in Operations and Maintenance.

Budget papers:

2009-2010 Budget Address [PDF - 125.60 KB]

2009-2010 Budget Highlights [[PDF - 48.82 KB]

2009-2010 Financial Information [[PDF - 1126.29 KB]

2009-2010 Projections [[PDF - 48.08 KB]

2009-2010 Operation and Maintenance Estimates

2009-2010 Capital Estimates

Related link:

More spending, no tax hikes, in Yukon's $1B budget
March 19, 2009
Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie, seen speaking to business leaders on Wednesday, said his budget aims to stimulate the private sector economy and help communities.Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie, seen speaking to business leaders on Wednesday, said his budget aims to stimulate the private sector economy and help communities.
Source:
CBC North

- Go to the Yukon Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/yk.htm

Québec Budget 2009-2010 - main budget page
March 19, 2009
[ version française ]
- includes links to all budget papers (some of which appear below)

2009-2010 Budget: Protecting jobs and preparing for recovery (PDF - 40K, 3 pages)
News Release
[ more press releases - 6 in all ]

* Budget Speech (40 pages, 672 Kb)

* 2009-2010 Budget Plan (434 pages, 2.2 Mb)
Section A - The Government's Economic and Fiscal Policy Directions
Section B - The Québec Economy: Recent Developments and Outlook for 2009 and 2010
Section C - The Government’s Financial Framework
Section D - Debt, Financing and Debt Management
Section E - Supporting Families and the Well-being of Quebecers
Section F - Supporting Jobs and Preparing for Economic Recovery
Section G - Update on Federal Transfers
Section H - Report on the Application of the Balanced Budget Act and on the Act to establish a budgetary surplus reserve fund
Section I - Report on the Application of the Act to reduce the debt and establish the Generations Fund
Section I - Additional Information – Historical Data

Additional Information on the Budgetary Measures (PDF - 132 pages, 1 Mb)
Section A - Revenue Measures
Section B - Expenditure Measures
Section C - Financial Impact of Fiscal and Budgetary Measures

The Budget at a Glance (PDF - 12 pages, 680 Kb)
1. Tackling the recession and preparing for recovery
2. Ensuring social development
3. Maintaining sound public finances

Selected Budget papers:

Status Report on Québec's Family Policy (PDF - 48 pages, 716 Kb)
Québec has gradually implemented a family policy that is now considered one of the most generous in the world. This policy is starting to yield results: the birth rate is up, the demographic trends of the 1990s have been reversed, the employment rate of women is improving, and Québec has one of the lowest child poverty rates in Canada. (...) Québec’s family policy has three components: financial support for parents, child care and parental leave. The government wants to provide a status report on the main programs under each component, using concrete examples to demonstrate the substantial support available to Québec families.

Quebecers' Income: The Progress Achieved (PDF - 60 pages, 752 Kb)
Since 2003 the government has undertaken major tax initiatives to raise Quebecers’ income. The measures taken have made it possible to increase the real disposable income of households, and have contributed to improving the purchasing power of citizens. This document is intended to provide an update on the impact of these various initiatives benefiting individuals introduced by the government.
Contents:
Section 1 : An overview of these tax measures and the impact they have had on the tax situation of Quebecers in relation to the rest of North America and elswhere in the world
Section 2 :The most recent data on Quebecers’ income, how it has changed over time, and how it compares with income in other provinces.
Section 3 : factors in the level of the cost of living and changes over time to provide an instrument for measuring Quebecers’ purchasing power.

- Go to the Québec Links (English) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/qce.htm
- Rendez-vous à la page de liens de recherche sociale au Québec: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/qcbkmrk.htm

Saskatchewan Budget 2009-10 - main budget page
March 18, 2009
- includes links to all budget papers (some of which appear below)

Balanced budget will keep Saskatchewan's economy strong and steady
Budget Delivers Largest Education Property Tax Cut in Saskatchewan History
March 18, 2009
News Release
The Provincial Government today delivered the largest property tax reduction in Saskatchewan history as part of the 2009-10 Budget.

Focus on Child Welfare in provincial budget
March 18, 2009
News Release
Ensuring Saskatchewan is a healthy, safe place to live for all of our children, including those at risk, is a priority of the 2009-10 Budget. Nearly $25 million has been dedicated to improving the province's child welfare system over the next year.

* Budget Address

* Estimates (PDF - 3.3MB, 191 pages)

* Summary Book (PDF - 1.2MB, 95 pages)

* Highlights Card

* Backgrounder - Facts and Figures

Related links:

Saskatchewan budget cuts property tax, increases spending on children
NDP critic says budget is 'short-term gain for long-term pain'
March 18, 2009
Bolstered by anticipated potash revenues of nearly $2 billion, the Saskatchewan Party government’s budget promises to reduce the education portion of property tax, boost spending to the child welfare system and provide cash for initiatives such as the long-proposed children’s hospital in Saskatoon.
Source:
The StarPhoenix

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Reaction to the 2009-10 provincial budget
March 18, 2009
- includes feedback on the 2009-10 budget from over a dozen sources from the usual sectors
Source:
The Leader-Post

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Big property tax cut highlights Saskatchewan budget
Opposition says $10B spending plan is unsustainable
March 18, 2009
Saskatchewan will cut education property taxes by 14 per cent and boost spending by more than $1 billion, according to a provincial budget that shows few signs of the economic storm battering the rest of Canada. While other provinces are looking at hefty deficits amid the economic slowdown, Saskatchewan will take in $400 million more than it spends in 2009-2010, according to the budget released by Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer on Wednesday.
Source:
CBC Saskatchewan News

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Saskatchewan fits stimulus spending into surplus budget
March 18, 2009
The prairie tiger's roar softened to a purr Wednesday as Saskatchewan's government tabled a budget that promises tax cuts, stimulus spending and a surplus well short of the $2.3-billion that flooded provincial coffers last year. Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer forecast a $425-million surplus for the coming year, even while the economy absorbs a 12-per-cent spending increase, a massive property tax reduction and roller-coaster commodity prices.
Source:
The Globe and Mail

---

More news coverage of the 2009-10 Saskatchewan Budget
- search results from Google.ca

---

- Go to the Saskatchewan Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/skbkmrk.htm

Province of New Brunswick 2009-2010 Budget (Main budget page)
March 17, 2009

Province provides leadership for stronger economy with 2009-10 budget
March 17, 2009
News Release
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The largest one-time tax reduction package ever introduced in New Brunswick is a major part of the province's 2009-10 budget, Leadership for a Stronger Economy, along with measures to maintain and create jobs, a commitment to return to balanced budgets, and strict controls on government expenditures. Delivered today by Finance Minister Victor Boudreau, the budget also features focused investments in priorities such as health care and education, and $1.2 billion for infrastructure projects.
- includes detailed budget highlights

* Budget Speech (PDF - 835K, 36 pages)

* NB Economy (PDF - 942K, 28 pages)

* Main Estimates (PDF - 1MB, 307 pages)

* The Plan to Lower Taxes in New Brunswick (PDF - 389K, 24 pages)

Related links:

From CBC New Brunswick:

N.B. budget cuts hundreds of millions in taxes
March 17, 2009
The New Brunswick government is unleashing a series of personal and corporate tax cuts in its 2009-10 budget as it attempts to provide a jolt to the province's faltering economy. Finance Minister Victor Boudreau announced Tuesday a four-year plan that will merge the province's four tax brackets into two with lower rates and cut corporate taxes to the lowest in the country. Under the plan, there would be tax cuts totalling $143.5 million in 2009-10; this would increase to tax cuts totalling $380.2 million in 2012-13.
[ NOTE: see "In depth: 2009-10 New Brunswick Budget" in the right-hand margin for links to over a dozen related articles ]

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[ More news coverage of the 2009-10 NB Provincial Budget ]
- search results from Google.ca

- Go to the New Brunswick Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nbkmrk.htm

[B.C.] BUDGET 2009 BUILDS STABILITY, CONFIDENCE FOR THE FUTURE
February 17, 2009
News Release
VICTORIA – Budget 2009 supports infrastructure projects to create thousands of jobs and build opportunities in every region of the province while providing stability and confidence for British Columbians by investing in health, education and social services, announced Finance Minister Colin Hansen today. (...) Budget 2009 invests almost $14 billion in infrastructure projects in every region of British Columbia. The Province will move forward on its capital plan and partner with the federal government and municipalities to build and upgrade housing, hospitals, schools and roads. These new and accelerated investments will generate as many as 88,000 jobs across B.C.
Source:
Government of British Columbia

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From the B.C.Ministry of Finance:

Budget 2009 - Province of British Columbia - Main Budget page
February 17, 2009
- incl. links to Budget Speech, highlights, backgrounders and all budget papers and related links (some of these appear below)

Budget and Fiscal Plan (PDF - 1.5MB, 162 pages)
- the main budget document; it lays out the Province’s three-year fiscal plan, including economic outlook, revenues, spending, tax measures, and forecasting risks and assumptions. PDF

Budget Highlights (PDF - 616K, 8 pages)
"(...) Fully 90 per cent of all new spending in British Columbia’s three-year fiscal plan is devoted to improving healthcare. The remaining 10 per cent is allocated to other key priorities including education and social programs. Budget 2009 continues to support families and communities. It provides new funding over three years to care for and protect vulnerable children and youth supporting healthy child and family development.
This includes:
» $110 million in funding for programs for B.C. families with children.
» $110 million in new funding for income assistance.
» $73 million for programs and services for adults with developmental disabilities."

Fiscal Plan 2009/10-2011/12 (PDF - 87K, 2 pages)
- backgrounder

Estimates, Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2010 (PDF - 2MB, 218 pages)
- the detailed breakdown of proposed spending by ministry and government agency that must be debated and approved by the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Supplement to the Estimates: (PDF - 1MB, 108 pages)
- provides additional information on proposed spending organized into major categories such as salaries, grants, capital, travel, and operations.

Ministry Service Plans
- provides an overview of every ministry, including how they intend to achieve their service goals and how they support the direction laid out in the Government Strategic Plan.

Government Strategic Plan (PDF - 5.6MB, 48 pages)
- sets out an overarching vision, goals and priority actions for the Province of British Columbia for the next 10 years.

[ B.C. budgets - previous years ]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Related links:
__________

From the CBC:

* B.C. plunges into red to battle economic downturn
* Highlights of B.C.'s 2009 budget
* Critics lash out at deficit budget
(all three articles above are dated February 17, 2009)

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From The Tyee:

BC Deficit Budget Cuts Spending, Offers Little Stimulus
Health and education safe but other ministries trimmed, including environment, housing, aboriginal affairs.
By Andrew MacLeod
Published: February 18, 2009

This Budget Is Toxic Fudge:
BC's government is in denial about the economic realities we face.
By Will McMartin
February 18, 2009
In a province where phoney-baloney budgets and fiscal manipulation are as common as rain, BC Liberal Finance Minister Colin Hansen's 2009/10 plan is as misleading and deceptive as any we've ever seen. The global economy, as every British Columbian over the age of three knows by now, has collapsed. Job losses are rising at an ever-increasing rate; retail sales and housing starts have plunged and commodity prices tanked; and many of the world's largest financial institutions have imploded. Federal governments of every ideological stripe, as well as U.S. states and Canadian provinces, have or are wracking up gigantic fiscal shortfalls.

Also from Will McMartin in The Tyee:

Balanced Budget Bozos:
BC politicians keep passing, then changing, laws against deficit spending. Are we nuts?
February 4, 2009

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From the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives:

BC Budget 2009: Vanilla, No Sprinkles
February 17, 2009
By Marc Lee
Faced with a nasty recession at its doorstep, the BC budget is uninspiring and underwhelming in its ambition. Overall there is little that actively plans for a recession, preferring instead a steady-as-she-goes budget, perhaps aimed at cultivating the image of responsible economic managers in a time of crisis. There are no tax cuts or drastic spending cuts, thankfully, but nor is there any short-term assistance to the most vulnerable, nor any meaningful investments towards a long-term strategic vision.
Source:
The Lead-Up
BC Election Commentary from the CCPA

- Go to the New Brunswick Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nbkmrk.htm

From the Department of Finance (Government of the Northwest Territories):

2009-10 NWT Budget Lays Out Challenges and Opportunities
Press Release
February 5, 2009
YELLOWKNIFE — The Government of the Northwest Territories' (GNWT) 2009-10 Budget was presented in the Legislative Assembly today by Finance Minister J. Michael Miltenberger.

* Budget Address (PDF - 124K, 15 pages)
[ français:
Discours du budget (PDF - 129Ko., 20 pages) ]

Budget Highlights (PDF - 162K, 2 pages)

NWT Budgets - earlier years

GNWT Main Estimates - 2009-2010 and previous years

- Go to the Northwest Territories Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/ntbkmrk.htm

Two rhetorical questions and a rant
about the Online Federal Budget 2009 consultations:

The Finance Department consultation ended at midnight on January 9.
(See http://www.fin.gc.ca/n08/08-103-eng.asp - 4th paragraph)

< Begin rhetorical questions>

1. Why did Finance Canada cut off submissions to the pre-budget consultation on January 9 if the budget date is the 27th?
Do the Finance Canada analysts read that slowly?

2. Why doesn't Finance Canada offer links to pre-budget submissions from groups and individuals?
I searched the Finance Canada site for "2009 pre-budget consultation" and came up with exactly zero results
So much for a "transparent" budget process, I guess.

< / End rhetorical questions >

**********************************************

<*Begin rant.>

December 20, 2008

Hey, Finance Canada website team --- here's a tip to make it easier for ordinary Canadians to participate in your pre-budget consultations:
QUIT CHANGING THE FRIKKIN' URL FOR THE CONSULTATIONS PAGE!!

On December 11, when Finance Canada launched its pre-budget consultation, the link was called:
Online Pre-Budget Consultations for Budget 2009
(I copied the link name and URL directly from the Finance Canada website)
Today (December 19), I received a friendly email from a visitor to my site to inform me that "my" link to the federal pre-budget consultation website was broken.
I clicked the link to see for myself (as you can, by clicking the link above) --- the click took me to a Finance Canada error page with two options : the Finance Dept. website search engine and the sitemap of the departmental website .
I selected the Finance Canada search engine option, entered "2009 budget consultation" in the search box and hit "Search Now". On the results page, I had to scroll down to the 14th link to find the "Fiscal Stimulus" presentation, and there was no other link (among the "best 63 results") to the 2009 budget consultation. PLEASE Fix your search engine so that it returns relevant results.
The sitemap of Finance Canada's website is the second option offered on the error page, and it's about as useful as the search engine. It offers links to federal budgets for 2005 to 2008 - not one word about the 2009 budget consultations.

Bottom Line:
If you *must* change your URLs after you've sent out emails to everyone on your list (which is not very swift in the first place), don't give people two options that are equally useless. Either TEST the options to ensure that they lead visitors to the correct information, or just tell people in your error message that they should start from the home page of the departmental website, where there is a clear link to the 2009 budget consultation page.

</End rant.>

Speech from the Throne
January 26, 2009
In these uncertain times, when the world is threatened by a struggling economy, it is imperative that we work together, that we stand beside one another and that we strive for greater solidarity.
(ZZZZZZZZZZ...)
Source:
Government of Canada

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Canadians could face 'several difficult years': throne speech
Tories 'will spend what is necessary' to boost economy, Jean says
January 26, 2009
The Conservative government is presenting a six-point economic stimulus plan in this week's budget and "will spend what is necessary" to rescue Canada's sagging economy during the global financial crisis, says the throne speech delivered Monday.
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Source:
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