Nova Scotia’s Finance and Treasury Board Minister Allan MacMaster tabled Budget 2024–25: Building Nova Scotia, Faster that will see progress this year on new and improved hospitals, public housing, schools, roads and highways that will serve the province for generations to come.
The government’s Capital Plan 2024-25 will invest more than $1.6 billion in communities across the province, in healthcare facilities, new housing projects and other priorities.
“Our capital plan continues to improve hospitals and other critical infrastructure for Nova Scotians and position our province for future growth,” said MacMaster. “I am pleased this plan supports efforts to build more housing faster and includes the first new funding for public housing construction in more than 20 years.”
The capital plan supports More, Faster: The Action for Health Build plan with investments that include:
- $301.7 million for the Halifax Infirmary expansion and Cape Breton Regional Municipality healthcare redevelopment project
- $146.1 million for construction and renewal of other hospitals and medical facilities including projects in Bridgewater, Pugwash, Yarmouth and Amherst and at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax
- $53.1 million for electronic health records (One Person One Record)
- $32 million to repair and replace medical equipment
- $22 million for Nova Scotia Health to repair and replace medical facilities
- $20.2 million for various initiatives in Action for Health, the government’s plan to transform and improve healthcare in Nova Scotia
- $17.9 million for a new multi-disciplinary oncology partnership.
The plan supports efforts to build more housing faster, including $15.5 million for new public housing units – the first new funding for public housing construction in more than 20 years. It is part of a $47.1-million investment in building and repairing public housing that also includes $11.8 million for new modular housing. Another $27.1 million will go toward Nova Scotia Community College student housing projects at various stages of development.
Other highlights include:
- $208.5 million to build and renovate schools, including four that will open this year
- $50 million to buy land for future needs
- $45.5 million for information technology projects
- $20 million for a new funding envelope for storm damage repairs
- $11.8 million for provincial park repairs and upgrades
$9.3 million for new helicopters and other wildfire equipment and training.
The capital plan includes $483.3 million for projects outlined in the Five-Year Highway Improvement Plan, including $55 million for gravel roads.
Featured image: Nova Scotia’s Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Allan MacMaster, introduced the provincial budget on February 29. (Communications Nova Scotia)
