N.B. budget: As deficit and living costs soar, so do worries for survival

With New Brunswick's budget coming on March 17, people are worried life will soon get even harder when it comes to balancing their books due to a ballooning provincial deficit.

The Oromocto Food Bank and Clothing Bank serves a population of more than 27,000 people. But with the cost of living going up and up, staff say it’s becoming more and more challenging to keep up with demand.

“People calling us begging, ‘Do you have any money that I can just borrow?’ and I mean people are calling churches and they’re calling service clubs and everybody they can find to try and get some help,” said Jane Buckley, the food and clothing bank’s executive director.

Rising prices are hitting people hard throughout the region and province, which makes next week’s provincial budget all the more important.

Inflation isn’t just impacting everyday people, as the province is facing a record deficit that’s now in the billions, not millions.

One Fredericton resident, Betty Blanchard, says to help deal with the cost of living, she sometimes walks to get her morning coffee, rather than driving, to help save on gas.

“Try to find that balance of what I can do less of but still get enjoyment from,” she said.

Gas prices are also hitting the pocketbook of Wendy Rogers. She lives about 15 kilometres from downtown Fredericton and now has to ask herself if the drive into the city is worth it.

“Sure makes me cautious about how many times I drive into town and combine all my errands,” Rogers said.