Budget 2025 investments support our goals as Canada’s first Well-Being Province – building housing, helping with affordability, promoting physical activity, and making our communities more accessible and inclusive.

Poverty Reduction Plan

The Poverty Reduction Plan has improved support for low-income families with significant increases to benefits that reduce childhood poverty, support seniors, and provide financial benefits for those experiencing low income. Budget 2025 includes:

• $34.5 million for the provincial Child Benefit, which includes the 300 per cent increase to the child benefit and the expansion of the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement to age five.
• $30 million to improve the Income Support program benefit structure, which will increase benefit rates starting with those receiving the lowest amounts.
• $3.5 million for the Working Opportunities Program, which helps non-EI eligible people complete training and up-skilling to overcome barriers to workforce participation.
• $2.9 million for the Community Youth Network to help teens and young adults successfully transition to adulthood through programs that encourage community engagement and eliminate barriers to education.
• $2.1 million to provide free Metrobus or GoBus passes to people receiving Income Support, seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement or youth benefitting from the Youth Services Program in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and Paradise.
• $165,000 to expand the bus pass pilot program to Corner Brook and St. Anthony.

Addressing Housing and Homelessness

A safe, stable, and affordable home is central to a person’s well-being. This year’s investments include:

• $10 million to construct provincially owned homes in Western and Central Newfoundland, and Labrador West. This is part of a four-year, $36 million investment.
• $32 million to construct or complete over 180 homes. This is part of the $82 million Affordable Rental Housing Program that will result in approximately 800 homes being constructed.
• $26 million for repairs, maintenance and renovations of provincially owned homes, which ensures over 5,500 existing homes are maintained for over 12,000 residents. This maintains last year’s $8 million increase.
• $23 million in cost-shared funding to support 2,600 individuals and families with rental assistance in the private market.
• $13.6 million to construct the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Hub.
• $11.7 million for Horizons at 106, which supports individuals experiencing homelessness.
• $4 million for the Secondary and Basement Suite Incentive Program, which gives homeowners a forgivable loan of up to $40,000 to create an affordable home within their home.
• $3 million to continue repairs and modernization of homes in Makkovik, Hopedale and Nain.
• More than $3 million for the HST rebate on new residential rental properties.
• $225,000 to continue the First-Time Homebuyers Program, which has supported over 240 lower-to-moderate income families in purchasing their first home.

Promoting Physical Activity

Investing in active living infrastructure and resources will lead to a healthier province. Budget 2025 includes:

• $8.5 million for recreation, physical activity, and athlete and sport development, including an additional $350,000 annually to support the Newfoundland and Labrador Games.
• $1.6 million for the Newfoundland and Labrador Sport Centre to assume responsibility for the operations of the Fortis Canada Games Complex and the Sport and Well-Being Dome.
• $750,000 for the organization and development of the 2026 Labrador Winter Games.
• More than $800,000 to support Labrador athletes travel for organized sporting competitions, school- organized sporting events, and sport development.
• The Physical Activity Tax Credit, which is a refundable tax credit up to $348 per family to access recreational and sporting activities.

Accessible and Inclusive Communities

We remain committed to building a more inclusive and accessible province, and ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone to participate fully in society. Budget 2025 includes:

• More than $100 million for community-based organizations.
• $17.5 million for the provincial Disability Benefit, which includes up to $400 per month for those who qualify, in addition to a $1,200 annual contribution to their Registered Disability Savings Plan.
• $300,000 for the Community Transportation Program, which has funded more than 20 projects throughout the province to enable persons with disabilities to participate in their communities.
• $400,000 for the Accessible Vehicle Funding Grant and the Accessible Taxi Program, which support families and businesses to retrofit or purchase new vehicles to accommodate passengers with wheelchairs or scooters.
• $94,500 to support the ongoing operations of GoBus Accessible Transit and its accessible public bus service in the St. John’s area.
• $50,000 for the Summer Camp Inclusion Grant, which helps ensure children with disabilities can attend and participate in summer camps.

Supporting Newcomers

Budget 2025 includes $16 million for retention initiatives so newcomers choose to make this province their long-term home. This includes over $11 million in newly negotiated federal supports and a $4 million increase in grants for community-based settlement services.