At a budget update on Thursday, Finance Minister Karen Casey was vague about whether that decision will end up costing taxpayers

As the province declares a localized state of emergency in hopes of speeding up the removal of Halifax's infamous downed crane, it's still not clear how much of the cost will be footed by taxpayers.

Government announced Wednesday it was taking over liability of the crane, which will allow their officials to oversee its safe and timely removal.

But at a budget update on Thursday, Finance Minister Karen Casey was vague about whether that decision will end up costing taxpayers.

"Whenever there's anything affecting the safety and health of Nova Scotians, I would support that," said Casey. "If there are financial implications after that, that would be something we have to assume and we'll have to review as those come in."

Casey would not say if the province had done a financial analysis.

"There's nothing in the (budget) update to respond to that because we don't have that, but it will be in the next update and I expect there will be other things that come in as a result of the damages from the hurricane," said Casey.

Two days after the crane collapsed, several residents and businesses in the area were evacuated by Halifax Regional Municipality Fire and Emergency Services and haven't yet been allowed to return to their homes or stores.

The crane is owned and operated by Lead Structural Formworks Ltd. The building it collapsed on is a site operated by WM Fares Group.

With files from Matthew Moore