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Tax credit cuts

As the province moves to increase some costs, it’s also cutting two tax credits. The Healthy Home Renovations Tax Credit, which was intended to help seniors modify their homes, is being cut due to low take up, which is expected to save $15 million a year. The Children’s Activity Tax Credit is also getting the axe, as it was seen to only benefit wealthier families. That move will save $55 million a year.

Tuition

The budget promises free “average” tuition for students from households with an average annual income below $50,000. At least half of students from households earning less than $83,000 a year will pay nothing and the rest will see a decrease in their cost of tuition through grant programs. Those from higher income families will either see a reduction in fees or pay the same amount.

Drive Clean

Drivers will no longer have to pay the $30 fee to get a Drive Clean test to ensure vehicles meet emissions standards. But the program will continue, despite both the environmental commissioner and the auditor general saying the program is now redundant given the standard efficiency of most cars on the road.

Wine

As promised, 70 grocery stores will be allowed to sell wine by this fall. Eventually, 300 grocery stores will sell wine alongside cheese. The province is also inching up minimum pricing for wine, ciders and fortified wine. The minimum cost of a 750-millilitre bottle will increase to $7.95 (though you’d be hard-pressed to find something under that price right now) That’s expected to raise $15 million in the 2016 fiscal year, $45 million the year after and $75 million the year after that.