The provincial finance minister says his department will be digesting the federal budget to determine how it will affect his own budgetary planning.

Craig Pardy says there are a number of fundamental programs that Ottawa has chosen to extend, which is good news for the province.

He highlighted the home care benefit and money dedicated to mental health and addictions. “If you pull out of that, knowing that they are programs that are working well, the cost is left with the taxpayers of Newfoundland and Labrador, so I’m pleased to get that extra year on.”

Pardy says the federal government’s health transfers haven’t been keeping up with inflation, which is of concern to the province.