The PC government’s first budget is focused primarily on health care and justice.

A total of $5.4 billion has been set aside for health care.

Another $6.5-million has been allotted to implement a provincial nursing travel team, which officials say will reduce the reliance on agency nurses, and $6.3 million to implement a Nurse Practitioner Funding Model. That program will mean people can see an NP for medically necessary services without having to pay out-of-pocket.

Under recruitment and retention, there’s $8 million for nurses and nurse practitioners, and $3.5 million for doctors.

Government has set aside $19 million for the full coverage of eligible medical transportation costs.

As well, more than $3-million will be used to provide 24-hour health care services at the Botwood hospital, with plans to expand to eventually Whitbourne – though there’s no detail on when that expansion will happen.

The provincial Prescription Drug Program is being increased by $22-million.

Also included is $1.5-million for the redevelopment of St. Clare’s, over $12-million for the redevelopment of the Janeway, and expansion of long-term care beds in several communities.

Government plans on hiring 21 new RNC and 25 new RCMP officers over the next two years, and has allocated $9-million to do that.

It will also use $1.7-million to hire seven new judges, and funding is set aside for more court staff and Crown Prosecutors. However, there is no mention of plans for additional correctional officers, and no further update on the plan to build a new penitentiary.

Bail hearings are being streamlined. Government will use $350,000 to implement a “unified bail court” where judges can hear bail hearings scheduled for St. John’s, Stephenville, and Grand Falls-Windsor.

Money Also Set Aside for Education

Government has allocated $625-million for educators, and teaching resources – which includes $29-million to hire 29 new teachers and 20 teaching and learning assistants.

$33-million is being used for support childcare, including 1,200 spaces currently in development, and the creation of 400 new spaces. $3.6-million has been set aside for inclusion supports in childcare centres.

Under school infrastructure, government plans on expanding St. Theresa’s Elementary in St. John’s, Pasadena Elementary, and Ecole Boreal in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

For post-secondary education, $500-million is in the budget for MUN and CNA – which includes the tuition freeze for 2026.

Over $40-million is in the budget for the Graduate Tuition Refund program – that means grads who stay, work, and live in the province will get their tuition back.

Government has also allocated $5-million to provide paid work terms for students pursuing careers in healthcare in hard-to-fill areas.