FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's finance minister is set to deliver a deficit budget Tuesday, but Greg Byrne says now is not the time to stop spending to boost the province's economy.
Byrne bought a pair of new winter boots today, saying he needs the traction they provide to continue climbing out of the economic recession.
Aside from the capital budget, the Liberal government is delivering its operating budget three months ahead of schedule.
The budget will also be Premier Shawn Graham's last before the provincial election in September.
Graham says his province was one of the first to address the recession and needs to act now to continue efforts to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Graham says the budget will include $15 million to help reduce poverty in the province.
Post-secondary Education Minister Donald Arseneault has also promised a three per cent increase in funding for universities and a freeze on student tuition fees.
