The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is urging the Holt government to cut the sales tax, eliminate wasteful spending and maintain a balanced budget. These recommendations form the foundation of the CTF’s pre-budget report for New Brunswick.

“New Brunswickers are struggling to make ends meet and Premier Susan Holt needs to lighten their tax burden,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director. “Holt should match Nova Scotia’s recent HST cut, which would save the average family more than $350 this year.”

Nova Scotia recently announced a one-point reduction in its sales tax, set to take effect on April 1, 2025, as part of its provincial budget. To help families cope with rising costs and keep New Brunswick competitive, the CTF is calling on the Holt government to follow suit by lowering the provincial HST rate by one percentage point, bringing the total tax to 14 per cent.

Beyond tax relief, the CTF’s plan also recommends:

• Replacing corporate subsidies with broad-based business tax cuts
• Bringing government compensation in line with New Brunswick’s labour market
• Conducting a full spending review to identify and reduce wasteful spending

These measures would help ensure New Brunswick continues its streak of balanced budgets.

“The province has exercised prudent fiscal management in recent years, bringing provincial debt down by $2.5 billion since 2019,” Drover said. “Holt must keep this momentum by controlling spending and reducing waste, instead of growing government and driving up debt.

“At the same time, Holt must use this opportunity to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking taxpayers.”

The CTF’s full pre-budget proposal can be viewed HERE.

The New Brunswick budget is set to be delivered on March 18, 2025.