Provincial budget to be delivered May 31

Finance Minister Siobhan Coady said Wednesday the provincial budget will be delivered in the House of Assembly on Monday, May 31.

The Greene Report, to be released today, will not factor into decisions in this year's budget due to the timing, she said.

“This budget is informed with discussions with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and with stakeholders,” Coady said.

“This budget is not reflective of the Premier's Economic Recovery Team report. If there is any crossover it is only because we are informed by similar information and dialogue.

“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have always been resilient, hardworking, caring, dedicated to home and to each other. That's why I know we will come through difficult times and build and grow our economy, attract new people, support one another, and emerge stronger and more vibrant than ever.”

Key items people in the province expect to be addressed in the budget include Muskrat Falls costs and power rate mitigation, child care, the minimum wage, debt management and measures to continue the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many of these items are expected to follow or enhance announcements made in last month's federal budget, in which money was announced to help lower child-care costs, aid in a transfer to a green economy, provide better access to employment insurance, provide money to help with longterm care, beef up businesses and boost tourism, and establish a federal $15-perhour minimum wage.

The federal budget also had a heavy focus on programs aimed at continuing to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic across the country and stimulus funds to help provinces and businesses.