FREDERICTON, N.B.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is blasting Premier Susan Holt for again breaking her balanced-budget promise and irresponsibly borrowing $1.4 billion in Budget 2026.

“New Brunswickers were promised a government that wouldn’t run up the debt, but Holt has now delivered two straight budgets built on irresponsible borrowing,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director. “That’s not fiscal discipline. That’s a broken promise and taxpayers are the ones left paying for it.

“For the second year in a row, Holt is choosing to push today’s bills onto tomorrow’s taxpayers instead of making government live within its means.”

Because of increased borrowing, interest charges on the provincial debt will cost taxpayers $851 million this year, or nearly $1,000 per New Brunswicker.

This is the second consecutive budget where Holt has chosen to borrow more money after campaigning on a promise that government debt and borrowing would not increase during her mandate. Since Holt took office, total debt has increased by $3.6 billion, or about 30 per cent.

The increase in total debt is being driven by another major spending hike, with overall spending up $851 million this year.

Meanwhile, New Brunswick families continue to struggle with affordability, but the budget offers no meaningful tax relief.

“Borrowing more money for a second straight year shows Holt’s first instinct is to make taxpayers pay more later instead of finding savings today,” said Drover. “Every extra dollar spent on interest is a dollar that can’t go toward tax relief or better services.”