Budget 2024 focuses on improving the well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, with the long- term goal of improving overall health outcomes and creating a better future for everyone in the province. Investments this year target housing, seniors, poverty reduction, as well as improved accessibility and inclusion.

Affordability

The higher cost of living touches every aspect of our lives. Our government has been diligent in focusing on vulnerable populations while taking a long-term view of addressing the core social determinants of health such as health care, income, and food security. To further support residents and businesses, Budget 2024 includes:

• No new taxes, tax increases or fee increases.
• Continuing the 8.05 cent per litre (includes HST) reduction on the price of gasoline and diesel.
• Continuing the 50 per cent reduction off the cost of registering passenger vehicles, trucks and taxis.
• Free driver medicals for people 75 and older.
• Continued removal of the 15 per cent retail sales tax on home insurance.
• Maintaining the home heating supplement of up to $500 to residents who rely on furnace or stove oil to heat their home.
• $85 million for the Income Supplement, which includes the 15 per cent increase over the last two years. The supplement benefits more than 150,000 families and individuals.
• $70.3 million for the Seniors’ Benefit, which includes the 15 per cent increase over the last two years. This benefit helps 50,000 seniors aged 65 or older.
• $130 million for the provincial-federal fuel switching and energy efficiency incentive, which has the potential to help households transition to electricity, which is a cheaper, greener, and more reliable way to heat a home.

Poverty Reduction Plan

Our new Poverty Reduction Plan provides incremental investments totaling $41 million in Budget 2024. This is in addition to the upwards of a billion dollars allocated annually for social programming. To further advance the plan’s implementation, Budget 2024 includes:

• Close to $30 million for the Child Benefit. This reflects a 300 per cent increase and positions our program as the third highest child benefit in Canada.
• More than $7 million for improvements to the Income Support Program, which will result in some people receiving almost four times their previous benefits.
• $4.8 million to implement a targeted basic income pilot for people aged 60-64 currently supported by both the Income Support Program and the NL Health Services’ Community Supports Program.
• $4 million to expand the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement up to age five, which is the best program of its kind in Canada.
• $3 million to expand school food programming in all Pre-Kindergarten programs and K-9 schools, beginning in 2024 in schools with the highest need.

Affordable Housing, Homelessness, and Homes that are Affordable

Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is a major factor in personal well-being, which is why Budget 2024 includes the highest level of provincial investment in housing in decades, including:

• $50 million for the Rental Housing Development Loan Program.
• More than $36 million over four years to build over 100 new provincial-housing homes in Corner Brook, Central Newfoundland and Labrador West.
• $21 million in cost-shared funding to support individuals and families with rental assistance in the private market.
• $12 million over four years to repair and modernize provincial housing in Nain, Hopedale, and Makkovik.
• Over $13 million for the Transitional Supportive Living Initiative in St. John’s, responding to a gap in transitional spaces for those experiencing homelessness with 140 rooms and wrap-around supports.
• More than $30 million over three years for the construction of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Hub, which will provide integrated health, housing, and other supports and services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
• An $8 million increase to the repairs, maintenance and renovations budget for provincial housing to ensure existing affordable homes are maintained and available.
• $4 million to continue the Secondary and Basement Suite Program, providing homeowners with a forgivable loan of up to $40,000 to create an affordable home within their home.
• More than $3 million for the new HST rebate on new residential rental properties.
• $225,000 to continue the First-Time Homebuyers Program, which provides a low-interest loan to lower-to-moderate income families for the required down payment when buying their first home.

Prioritizing Physical Activity

Aligned with recommendations of Health Accord NL, our government is supporting initiatives, infrastructure and equipment linked to healthy living and greater participation in physical activities. Budget 2024 includes:

• The Physical Activity Tax Credit is an incentive for individuals and families as they look to access recreational and sporting activities. This credit provides a refundable tax credit up to $348 for families.
• $13 million to build a new indoor domed turf facility which will include exercise rehabilitation, as well as allow for year-round sports and recreational activity.
• $7.6 million to support recreation, physical activity, and athlete and sport development.
• More than $800,000 is allocated for the Labrador Sport Travel Subsidy, which provides air travel support to Labrador athletes, aged 18 and under.
• Special Olympians, and sport organizations to participate in provincial competitions and development camps.
• $500,000 for planning a new multiplex recreational facility in the metro St. John’s area.

Accessible and Inclusive Communities

As a government, we are committed to advancing accessibility and inclusion. Budget 2024 includes:

• $2.1 million to provide free Metrobus or GoBus passes for people receiving Income Support, seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement and youth receiving services from the Youth Services Program in the areas of St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and Paradise.
• $700,000 for accessible transportation programs, including the Accessible Vehicle and Taxi Grants.
• $325,000 for accessibility grants, which provide funding for accessibility improvements and inclusion projects in communities.
• $50,000 for the Summer Camp Inclusion Grant to provide financial assistance for a support person to help facilitate the inclusion of children with disabilities in summer camps.