Highlights of the 2015-16 budget in Newfoundland and Labrador presented Thursday
Posted April 30, 2015 12:55 pm.
Last Updated April 30, 2015 8:31 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Highlights of the 2015-16 Newfoundland and Labrador budget presented Thursday:
— An $8.1 billion spending plan that raises the provincial harmonized sales tax to 15 per cent from 13 per cent as of Jan. 1, 2016.
— New tax rates for the highest income earners starting July 1: 14.3 per cent of taxable income for those earning $125,001 to $175,000 and 15.3 per cent for incomes higher than $175,000.
— A deficit of almost $1.1 billion this fiscal year and a deficit of $924 million for 2014-15.
— Deficits, economic contraction and job losses are also projected for the next three fiscal years.
— The Progressive Conservative government will borrow $2 billion to cover spending on the Muskrat Falls hydro project in Labrador, infrastructure, pension reform and various services.
— Fee hikes for everything from vehicle licences to provincial Supreme Court search fees, campsite rentals and public swimming.
— Net debt increases to $11.5 billion from $10.2 billion.