Here are some highlights:

-- Total spending is forecast to be $18.9 billion, with a projected deficit of $1.19 billion.

-- The budget includes a four-year plan to contain expenses, including a five per cent yearly cut in the civil service and a three per cent cut in the broader public service, including Crown corporations. The government says the cuts will save about $95 million.

-- The province intends to reduce grants to organizations by $130.4 million in an effort to rein in spending.

-- Health spending rises to more than $6.7 billion, which accounts for 35.5 per cent of the overall budget.

-- A total of $1.2 billion in capital investment for the Halifax Infirmary expansion project and Cape Breton Regional Municipality health-care redevelopment project.

-- $144.5 million for construction and renewal of other hospitals and medical facilities in Amherst, Yarmouth, Bridgewater and the IWK in Halifax.

-- $47.5 million to hire more paramedics and emergency medical responders, and $47.1 million to pay family doctors who take on shifts in long-term care, hospitals and emergency departments in rural facilities.

-- $681.2 million toward a number of measures including keeping tax brackets indexed; increasing basic personal and age amounts; maintaining HST at 14 per cent; and continuing the energy rebate program. The government says these measures will save an average Nova Scotian family more than $1,400 in 2026-27.

-- $873.8 million toward the plan to build 5,700 new and replacement long-term care spaces by 2032, with seven more facilities expected to open this year.

-- Net debt is expected to be $27.9 billion in 2026-27, which reflects capital investments in the coming year and the anticipated budget deficit.

This report by was first published Feb. 23, 2026.?