N.B. news: Government to give its first throne speech Tuesday [Video]

FREDERICTON –

New Brunswick’s Liberal government is scheduled to give its first throne speech today after winning last month’s provincial election.

Premier Susan Holt says her government’s top priorities are implementing a rent cap, removing the provincial tax on electricity bills and new multi-unit housing, and distributing retention payments for nurses.

The Liberals won a majority government in October, promising to breathe life back into the ailing health-care system by opening 30 community clinics over the next four years.

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However, the province’s financial outlook dimmed last week when the new finance minister projected a deficit of $92.1 million for the current fiscal year, a reversal from the $40.9-million surplus budgeted last spring by the Progressive Conservatives.

Rene Legacy blamed the deficit on higher-than-expected spending in the Health Department, particularly on private nursing companies.

Legacy said the government will look for ways to shrink …