The required 2% budget cuts to each Government department would not be binding on the provincial Health Department, says New Brunswick's Finance Minister.

Although a campaign promise had been made for the boost in health spending, the entire Government department would have to cut their overall budget, says Blaine Higgs.

The Progressive Conservatives had reportedly affirmed that the Health Department would be granted an increase in funding by almost 3%, every year for four years. This was during the fall provincial election campaign.

However, Higgs has said that as far as the health department is concerned the 2% cut would be out from any future augments which the province would have given them.

In an attempt to handle the New Brunswick's $749-million deficit, Higgs plans to bring about a cut in his overall Government budget by about $150 million.

“Our focus is on identifying areas of waste and overspending, better buying habits, and on areas of administration where we can make better decisions. It's not on front-level service”, he added.

The members of the civil service have been granted a time period of two weeks to come up with ways to cut spending.