Blaine Higgs launches special budget website

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs is using a new website to consult citizens on how they think the provincial government should balance its budget.

The New Brunswick government is required by law to launch pre-budget consultation every year. This year, Higgs is adding a special website to the usual routine of online questionnaires and public forums.

The "Taxpayers First" website was launched on Friday and includes a video of Premier David Alward explaining the provinces economic problems and links to different reports and documents that help illustrate the provinces financial situation.

"Were asking you to help tell us how to tackle those challenges by telling us how your tax dollars can be better invested into your priorities," Alward said.

The Progressive Conservative government is forecasting a $545.7-million deficit, which is almost $100 million more than it originally predicted in March. The provincial debt is on pace to surpass $10 billion by the end of this fiscal year.

The Department of Finance website is also posting online polls and surveys to solicit input from citizens.

"Returning to balanced budgets is a multi-year process and requires the support of New Brunswickers through their ideas and comments," Higgs said in a statement.

"Their feedback will help us as we prepare the next budget and implement our government renewal program."

Along with the website, Higgs will be hosting a series of public meetings across the province:

• Saint John on Jan. 16
• Sussex and Moncton on Jan. 17
• Miramichi and Bathurst on Jan. 19
• Tracadie-Sheila on Jan 20
• Woodstock on Jan. 23
• St. Stephen and Fredericton on Jan. 24
• Edmundston on Jan. 25

Higgs will unveil his second budget in March.

The finance minister tabled his2012-13 capital budgeton Dec. 13. The financial document outlined $948 million worth of infrastructure spending.

However, $544 million was for the Route 1 highway project and $404 million for ongoing capital projects. There was only $24 million set aside for new projects compared to $42 million last year.

The provincial governmentreleases its capital budget every Decemberto givedepartments enough time to issue construction tenders so work can begin in the spring.

Other online consultations

The Alward government has moved more of its public consultation initiatives online. It has set up a special website where it posts proposed regulatory changes for 30 days for feedback.

Last year, Alward asked civil servants to email him directly with ideas on how to find savings.

The premier received 500 email responses that contained more than 1,100 different ideas on how to save money.

The potential cuts included closing what are called "low-populated" schools and trimming administrative costs in hospitals.

As well, roughly 3,000 New Brunswickers responded to an onlinequestionnaire hosted by the provincial government.

The results show 46.2 per cent of respondents wanted the Alward government to cut government spending and increase specific taxes.