18-K 1 newbrunswick18k112409.htm PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK FORM 18-K CC Filed by Filing Services Canada Inc. 403-717-3898


FORM 18-K

For Foreign Governments and Political Subdivisions Thereof



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


ANNUAL REPORT


of


PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK

CANADA

(Name of Registrant)


Date of end of last fiscal year: March 31, 2009

SECURITIES REGISTERED *

(As of close of fiscal year)





Title of issue


_____________________________

 


Amounts as to

which registration

is effective


________________________________

 


Names of

exchanges on

which registered


____________________________

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A



 

Names and addresses of persons authorized to receive notices

and communications from the Securities and Exchange Commission:



JOHN MCNAB

Canadian Consulate General

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY  10020


Copies to:


CHRISTOPHER J. CUMMINGS

Shearman & Sterling LLP

Commerce Court West

199 Bay Street, Suite 4405

Toronto, ON Canada M5L1E8


LEONARD LEE-WHITE

Assistant Deputy Minister

Treasury Division

Province of New Brunswick

P.O. Box 6000

Fredericton, NB Canada E3B5H1


   *  The Registrant is filing this annual report on a voluntary basis.













The information set forth below is to be furnished:


1.  In respect of each issue of securities of the registrant registered, a brief statement as to:


(a)  The general effect of any material modifications, not previously reported, of the rights of the holders of such securities.  


None.


(b)  The title and the material provisions of any law, decree or administrative action, not previously reported, by reason of which the security is not being serviced in accordance with the terms thereof.


None.


(c)  The circumstances of any other failure, not previously reported, to pay principal, interest, or any sinking fund or amortization installment.


None.



2.  A statement as of the close of the last fiscal year of the registrant giving the total outstanding of:


(a)  Internal funded debt of the registrant. (Total to be stated in the currency of the registrant.  If any internal funded debt is payable in a foreign currency, it should not be included under this paragraph (a), but under paragraph (b) of this item.)


Reference is made to page 32 of Exhibit 99.1 hereto.


(b) External funded debt of the registrant. (Totals to be stated in the respective currencies in which payable.  No statement needs to be furnished as to intergovernmental debt.)


Reference is made to page 32 of Exhibit 99.1 hereto.



3.  A statement giving the title, date of issue, date of maturity, interest rate and amount outstanding, together with the currency or currencies in which payable, of each issue of funded debt of the registrant outstanding as of the close of the last fiscal year of the registrant.


Reference is made to pages 50, 51 and 52 of Exhibit 99.1 hereto.


4. a) As to each issue of securities of the registrant which is registered, there should be furnished a break-down of the total amount outstanding, as shown in Item 3, into the following:



















2









(1) Total amount held by or for the account of the registrant.


As at March 31, 2009, the total amount held by or for the account of the registrant was as follows:


Date of

Maturity

Interest

Rate (%)


Series

Amount

Outstanding

Amount Held in Sinking Fund

Date Issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Feb. 2013

7 5/8

EO

  $  200,000,000

    $   67,995,000

Feb. 1993

15 Aug. 2013

6 ¾

ET

200,000,000

120,290,000

Sept. 1993

15 May 2020

9 ¾

DU

200,000,000

14,335,000

May 1990

1 May 2022

8 ¾

EI

200,000,000

15,067,000

May 1992

21 Feb. 2017

5 1/5

GR

500,000,000

--

Feb. 2007

4 Mar. 2016

2 7/8

GY

CHF 300,000,000

--

Mar. 2009




(2)

Total estimated amount held by nationals of the registrant (or if registrant is other than a national government by the nationals of its national government); this estimate need be furnished only if it is practicable to do so.


Not practicable to furnish.


(3)

Total amount otherwise outstanding.



Date of  Maturity


Interest Rate (%)


Series


Amount Otherwise

Outstanding


Date Issued

 

 

 

 

 

15 Feb. 2013

7 5/8

EO

  $  132,005,000

Feb. 1993

15 Aug. 2013

6 ¾

ET

79,710,000

Sept. 1993

15 May 2020

9 ¾

DU

185,665,000

May 1990

1 May 2022

8 ¾

EI

184,933,000

May 1992

21 Feb. 2017

5 1/5

GR

500,000,00

Feb. 2007

4 Mar. 2016

2 7/8

GY

CHF 300,000,000

Mar. 2009



(b)

If a substantial amount is set forth in answer to paragraph (a)(1) above, describe briefly the method employed by the registrant to reacquire such securities.


The Province of New Brunswick sinking fund is a general investment type fund.  The Provincial Loans Act and in some cases the terms and conditions of the debenture issue specify the minimum rate at which sinking fund installments will be made.  Purchases of bonds into the fund are generally discretionary.  Many of the bonds purchased into the fund are New Brunswick or New Brunswick guaranteed bonds.  The Province is also permitted to buy debt instruments issued or guaranteed by the Government of Canada or any province of Canada and other debt instruments defined by the Provincial Loans Act.



5.

A statement as of the close of the last fiscal year of the registrant giving the estimated total of:


(a)

Internal floating indebtedness of the registrant.  (Total to be stated in the currency of the registrant.)


Reference is made to pages 32, 50, 51 and 52 of Exhibit 99.1 hereto.


(b)

External floating indebtedness of the registrant.  (Total to be stated in the respective currencies in which payable.)


Reference is made to page 50 of Exhibit 99.1 hereto.



3







6.

Statements of the receipts, classified by source, and of the expenditures, classified by purpose, of the registrant for each fiscal year of the registrant ended since the close of the latest fiscal year for which such information was previously reported.  These statements should be so itemized as to be reasonably informative and should cover both ordinary and extraordinary receipts and expenditures; there should be indicated separately, if practicable, the amount of receipts pledged or otherwise specifically allocated to any issue registered, indicating the issue.


Reference is made to pages 19 to 31 of Exhibit 99.1 hereto.



7.

(a) If any foreign exchange control, not previously reported, has been established by the registrant (or if the registrant is other than a national government, by its national government), briefly describe such foreign exchange control.


None.


(b) If any foreign exchange control previously reported has been discontinued or materially modified, briefly describe the effect of any such action, not previously reported.


Not applicable.



This annual report comprises:


(a)

Pages numbered 2 to 6 consecutively.


(b)

The following exhibits:


 99.1         

Current Province of New Brunswick Description.


99.2

Province of New Brunswick 2009 – 2010 Budget excerpt (incorporated by reference to

Amendment No. 1 on form 18K/A dated March 31, 2009 to the Annual Report

of the Province of New Brunswick).


99.3

Province of New Brunswick Public Accounts for the fiscal year end 31 March 2009

Volume 1 Financial Statements (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2

on form 18K/A dated October 29, 2009 to the Annual Report of the Province

of New Brunswick).






This annual report is filed subject to the Instructions for Form 18-K for Foreign Governments and Political Subdivisions Thereof.


 





4






SIGNATURE



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, at Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada on the 30th day of November 2009.





Province of New Brunswick





By:     /s/ Leonard Lee-White    

Leonard Lee-White

Assistant Deputy Minister

Treasury Division

Department of Finance








5







EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit Number

Description



99.1

Current Province of New Brunswick Description


99.2

Province of New Brunswick 2009 – 2010 Budget excerpt (incorporated by reference to

Amendment No. 1 on form 18K/A dated March 31, 2009  to the Annual Report

of the Province of New Brunswick).


99.3

Province of New Brunswick Public Accounts for the fiscal year end 31 March 2009

Volume 1 Financial Statements (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2

on form 18K/A dated October 29, 2009 to the Annual Report of the Province of New

Brunswick).


 






6









[newbrunswick18k112409001.jpg]







November 30, 2009





Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description






Table of Contents

Page


Map of the Province

3

Summary of Economic and Financial Information

4

General Information

6

The Economy

7

Revenue and Expenditure of the Province

19

Financing

31

Consolidation of New Brunswick Public Sector Debt

35

Public Sector Pension Liabilities

35

New Brunswick Power Holding Corporation

37

New Brunswick Electric Finance Corporation

49

Funded Debt Outstanding at March 31, 2009

50

Foreign Exchange

53

Sources of Information

53






All dollar amounts herein are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.  On November 30, 2009, the noon spot exchange rate for United States (U.S.) dollars as reported by the Bank of Canada, expressed in Canadian dollars, was $1.0574.

 

Financial data for the Province of New Brunswick ("New Brunswick" or the "Province") have been rounded.  Certain information presented in tabular form may not add to the total presented due to such rounding.


The Province made a major change in its accounting policies during the year ended March 31, 2005 by implementing the new government reporting model recommendations of the Public Sector Accounting Board (“PSAB”) of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (“CICA”).  The Province now distinguishes between financial and non-financial assets and is now accounting for tangible capital assets as prescribed by PSAB.  The new reporting model has resulted in a number of financial statement changes.  In some cases historical data cannot be reproduced in the new format.


Compound annual rates of growth are computed by using the "geometric average method" which is based on first and last year observations of the variables rather than all observations over the period concerned.




2




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




MAP OF NEW BRUNSWICK



[newbrunswick18k112409003.gif]




3




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION


The following summary information is qualified in its entirety by the information contained herein.


 



Year Ended December 31,

Compound

Annual Growth Rate

%

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2004-2008

 

(In millions of dollars where applicable)

 

Economy1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices

23,672

24,748

25,825

26,947

27,288

3.6

Personal Income

19,856

20,534

21,302

22,352

23,226

4.0

Retail Trade

7,963

8,326

8,814

9,318

9,872

5.5

Manufacturing Sales

14,192

15,248

14,836

15,680

17,877

5.9

Foreign Commodity Exports

9,438

10,678

10,377

11,182

12,808

7.9

Population at July 1 (in thousands)

749

748

746

745

747

-0.01

Unemployment Rate

9.8%

9.7%

8.8%

7.5%

8.6%

--

Change in Consumer Price Index

1.5%

2.4%

1.7%

1.9%

1.7%

--

Change in Real GDP

2.8%

1.6%

2.4%

1.7%

0.0%

--


1 Source: Statistics Canada – numbers are subject to adjustment



 

Year Ending March 31,

 



2006



2007



2008



2009

Budget

Estimates

2010

Government Finance

(In millions of dollars)

Ordinary Account (Surplus) Deficit

(230.9)

(268.4)

(121.3)

151.4

 607.5

Net Capital Expenditure

375.2

403.9

721.0

426.9

603.9

(Surplus) Deficit on Special Purpose Account

(6.8)

(9.5)

(10.2)

(5.2)

 3.6

(Surplus) Deficit on Special Operating Agency

(34)

(16.3)

(4.7)

(21.3)

 (12.2)

Earnings from Sinking Fund

(226.4)

(231.7)

(230.7)

(233.4)

 (234.1)

Accounting adjustments on consolidation

       8.5

(12.0)

(26.9)

          120.2

       -

Increase (Decrease) in Net Debt

(114.4)

(134.0)

327.2

438.6

 968.7

Adjustments related to non financial assets

(120.7)

(102.4)

(423.9)

246.4

 (227.8)

Annual (Surplus) Deficit

(235.1)

(236.4)

(96.7)

192.4

 740.9









4




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description





 

Year Ended March 31,

 

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions of dollars unless indicated)

Provincial Purpose Funded Debt 1

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Provincial Purpose Funded Debt

8,397.0

8,942.4

9,272.8

9,461.7

10,127.6

Less Sinking Funds

3,773.8

3,984.0

3,968.2

4,161.9

4,159.6

Net Provincial Purpose Funded Debt

4,623.2

4,958.4

5,304.6

5,299.8

5,967.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a Percent of GDP

19.6

19.7

20.5

19.7

21.9





 

Year Ended March 31,

 

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

 


(In millions of dollars unless indicated)

Funded Debt Used for

Advances to NB Power/NBEFC 2

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Advances

3,316.6

3,261.5

3,709.1

3,602.9

4,177.1

Less Sinking Funds

391.6

336.4

300.6

309.4

415.4

Net Advances

2,925.0

2,925.1

3,408.5

3,293.5

3,761.7

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

Year Ended March 31,

 

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

 

(In millions of dollars)

Contingent Liabilities

269.4

102.6

94.4

78.8

88.2





1 Foreign currency issues are expressed as the Canadian dollar equivalent at fiscal year-end rates of exchange or, where hedges are in place, at the rates of exchange established by such hedges.

2 Foreign currency issues are expressed as the Canadian dollar equivalent at fiscal year-end rates of exchange.  See section on

New Brunswick Electric Finance Corporation.






5




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description



GENERAL INFORMATION


Introduction


New Brunswick (“New Brunswick” or the “Province”) is located on the eastern seaboard of Canada and is one of the four Atlantic provinces.  New Brunswick has a total area of 28,355 square miles of which about 12,877 square miles is Crown land owned by the Province.  The St. John River flows for a distance of over 300 miles through the Province to its mouth on the Bay of Fundy.  The Province's population is concentrated principally in the valleys of the St. John and other rivers.


A large part of New Brunswick is covered by forests which constitute a major natural resource.  Other natural resources include fish and shellfish, farmland and base metals, coal, potash, limestone and other minerals.  The location of the Province provides the advantage of cost effective water transportation for its products to export markets in the eastern U.S., Great Britain and Western Europe.  Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest city, located at the mouth of the St. John River on the Bay of Fundy, is home to one of North America’s largest oil refineries and is one of the two principal seaports in eastern Canada that remain open throughout the year.  Consequently, some Canadian shipping, which would otherwise pass through the St. Lawrence River, is diverted to the Saint John port during the winter months.


According to Statistics Canada, the population of the Province on July 1, 2009 was estimated at 749,468.  The three largest urban areas of New Brunswick and their respective populations based on 2006 census figures are Saint John (122,389), Moncton (126,424) and Fredericton (85,688), the capital of the Province.



Government


Canada consists of a federation of provinces and Federal territories with a constitutional division of powers between the Federal and provincial governments established by the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Constitution Act, 1982.  Under these Acts the provinces are assigned jurisdiction over health, social services, education, municipal institutions, property and civil rights, natural resources and other matters of purely private or local concern.  The Parliament of Canada has jurisdiction over all areas not assigned exclusively to the provincial legislatures, including such matters as the Federal public debt and property, the regulation of trade and commerce, currency and coinage, banks and banking, national defense, the postal services, railways and navigation, and employment insurance.


The Constitution Act, 1982 provides for enlarged provincial jurisdiction over, and taxation of, certain natural resources and electrical energy, a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including language rights, the principles of the reduction of regional economic disparities and the making of fiscal equalization payments to certain provinces by the Government of Canada, and for the amendment of the constitution in Canada.  Each province owns mineral and other resources on its provincial Crown Lands and may own sub-surface resources on its other lands.


The executive power in New Brunswick is vested in the Lieutenant-Governor acting on the advice of the Executive Council.  The Executive Council is responsible to the Legislative Assembly.  The Lieutenant-Governor, who is the representative of the Queen, is appointed by the Governor-General of Canada in Council on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Canada.  The current Lieutenant-Governor is His Honour Graydon Nicholas.  Members of the Executive Council are appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor on the nomination of the Premier from members of the Legislative Assembly.  There are presently 21 members of the Executive Council, including the Premier, the Honourable Shawn Graham.  


Legislative power is exercised by the Legislative Assembly and legislation becomes effective upon the assent of the Lieutenant-Governor unless otherwise specified in the legislation.  The Legislative Assembly is elected for a term of four years and may be dissolved at any time by the Lieutenant-Governor.  Of a total of 55 seats in the Legislative Assembly, 33 are held by the Liberal Party and 22 are held by the Progressive Conservative Party.  The last Provincial general election was held on September 18, 2006.  Subject to the Legislative Assembly Act, the next Provincial general election will be held on September 27, 2010 and thereafter on the fourth Monday in September in the fourth calendar year following the most recently held Provincial general election.








6




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


International Trade Agreements


 The Government of New Brunswick believes that Canada’s participation in the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (“FTA”) and North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) improves the Province’s international trade opportunities, with neighbouring U.S. The FTA and NAFTA have provided the Province with an extraordinary advantage in the U.S. market over the past 20 years. However, as the U.S. implements more regional/bilateral free trade agreements, New Brunswick’s exclusive position is being eroded. Canadian business stakeholders have indicated that Canada should diversify its trade relationships.  The Government of Canada has recently become more aggressive with its regional trade agenda, announcing the “entering into force” of the Canada-European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement on July 1, 2009, as well as the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement on August 1, 2009; and the signing of the Canada-Columbia Free Trade Agreement on November 21, 2008, as well as the signing of the Canada Jordan Free Trade Agreement on June 28, 2009.

  

Canada and the European Union (“EU”) undertook an economic study in 2008 which demonstrated that greater trade liberalization has the potential to bring substantial economic benefits to Canada, as well as the EU. The study predicts that liberalizing trade in goods and services could bring a potential 20% boost to bilateral trade and GDP gains of up to $12 billion (or €8.2 billion) for Canada by 2014.  On May 6, 2009, the Prime Minister Harper, the European Union President and the European Commission President announced the formal launch of negotiations on an economic partnership agreement with the EU. The first round of negotiations took place in Ottawa during the week of October 19th 2009 with the governments of the Canadian Provinces and Territories taking an active role in international trade negotiations for the first time.


 The advancement of the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) is beneficial for the export-oriented economies of both Canada and New Brunswick.  The WTO remains the cornerstone of Canadian trade policy and New Brunswick maintains its support for Canada’s position on the negotiating framework for the Doha Development Round.  The Province participates actively on Federal/Provincial consultative committees concerned with implementation, dispute settlement and future negotiation issues related to international trade and investment agreements.


On Sept 12, 2006, Canada and the U.S. signed the Softwood Lumber Agreement (“SLA”) which excluded Atlantic Canada from the “export measures”, not the terms of the SLA overall.  New Brunswick continues to actively monitor all activity relative to the SLA, especially U.S. challenges and ongoing arbitrations.


Since the SLA came into force on October 12, 2006, all softwood lumber of Atlantic origin continues to enter the U.S. duty free, export tax free and with no quota restrictions. At the current price for lumber (the SLA prevailing monthly price for July 2009 was US$198, down 29.5% (or US$83) from July 2008) exporters in British Columbia and Alberta are being charged an export tax of 15%.  Exporters in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario are subject to an export control regime including an export tax (maximum of 5%) and quota restrictions. In addition, Canada will have to impose an additional 10% tax on softwood lumber from these four provinces due to a London Court of International Arbitration finding that these provinces breached the SLA.



THE ECONOMY


Economic Update 2009


For 2009, the New Brunswick economy has, for the most part, performed according to expectations for the first three-quarters of the year. The labour force, however, has performed better than initially anticipated as employment is up by approximately 200 net new jobs through the first nine months of the year. Retail sales, on the other hand, have decreased 2.2% as consumers have held back on spending so far in 2009.


A weakened investment climate in the province will translate into negative economic growth for 2009 as a whole. The Department of Finance projected economic growth for 2009 to contract by 0.3% in its March budget.


Developments in 2008


The deterioration in financial markets, faltering commodity prices and a deepening of the US recession impacted the Canadian economy, with real GDP growth slowing to 0.5% from 2.7% posted in 2007.


The New Brunswick economy spent much of 2008 looking as though it might experience robust growth. Booming commodity prices along with strong global demand translated into very strong export growth for the province. Strong capital



7




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


investment along with a healthy construction sector also provided a strong impetus for the New Brunswick economy in 2008 with major projects like the Point Lepreau refurbishment, the Canaport LNG terminal and the Brunswick Pipeline.


Employment reached an all-time high of 366,200 in 2008 as a strong service sector offset a slight decline in the goods producing sector. Both Health Care Services and Public Administration registered strong gains. With labour force growth outpacing employment growth, however, the unemployment rate jumped 1.1 percentage points to 8.6%. At the national level, growth in the service sector more than double that of the goods-producing sector contributed to an increase in total employment of 1.5% (or 259,400 jobs) in 2008.


 Things quickly began to change as the year came to a close. In the fourth quarter of 2008, New Brunswick began to feel the effects of the global recession as exports and manufacturing sales weakened. Although most economic indicators finished the year on a relatively strong note, a large drop in corporate profits in conjunction with continued weakness in the forest sector led to zero real growth in the province for 2008.


In 2008, growth in New Brunswick’s retail trade remained above 4.5% for the fourth year in a row. This industry accounts for almost 7% of provincial GDP. Nationally, retail sales increased 3.2%. New motor vehicle sales increased 6.0% from 2007. New Brunswick's Consumer Price Index increased 1.7%, compared to a 2.3% increase for Canada. The value of New Brunswick manufacturing sales in 2008 increased 14% from 2007, mainly the result of rising petroleum prices. Canadian manufacturing sales declined 0.4%. Labour income in New Brunswick rose 4.5% in 2008, comparable to the national rate of growth of 4.9%. Housing starts increased to 4,274 units, up 0.8% from 2007. In the agriculture sector, farm cash receipts increased 7.1% in 2008.


Capital investment rose to a record $6.2 billion in 2008, a 2.2% increase over 2007.  Investment in 2008 represents the highest annual investment total in Provincial history. Major investments since the mid-1990s included projects in the refined petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, power generation, real estate, retailing, food processing, electronic products, communications, transportation, health, recreation, education, and forestry-related industries. Capital investment in Canada increased by 5.2% in 2008.


Energy exports accounted for more than 65% of total foreign exports originating from New Brunswick. Supported by higher refined petroleum prices in 2008, exports of energy products soared 26.3%, following a 14.6% increase in 2007. Supported by healthy energy exports, the value of foreign exports of commodities increased 14.5%.    




Economic Activity


In 2008, the nominal value of New Brunswick’s GDP was estimated at $27,288 million or $36,515 per capita. Over the 2004 to 2008 period, GDP market prices grew at a compound annual growth rate of 3.6% compared to a national rate of growth of 5.6%.


Comparing 2004 and 2008, the real GDP from goods producing industries was essentially unchanged. The real GDP of service producing industries recorded a compound annual growth rate of 2.1% during that same period, reaching a level of $15,686 (chained 2002 dollars).


The gross value of manufacturing sales increased at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9% (in current prices) over the 2004 to 2008 period, while foreign exports of commodities rose at a compound annual growth rate of 7.9% (in current prices).


Personal income has increased from $19,856 million in 2004 to $23,226 million in 2008 (in current prices), a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. On a per capita basis, personal income increased from $26,403 to $31,080 (in current prices) over the same period, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. Retail trade for New Brunswick increased at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% (in current prices) over the same period.


The following table sets forth selected indices of economic activity for New Brunswick and for Canada as a whole for the years 2004 through 2008.

 



8




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description





 

Selected Economic Indicators

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAGR1 (%)

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2004-2008

 

(In millions of dollars unless otherwise indicated)

 

Gross Domestic Product at market prices

 

 

 

 

 

New Brunswick

23,672

24,748

25,825

26,947

 27,288

3.6

Canada

1,290,906

1,372,626

1,450,490

1,535,646

1,602,474

5.6

Per Capita Gross Domestic Product

(in dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

New Brunswick

31,477

32,939

34,469

35,940

36,515

3.8

Canada

40,347

42,480

44,426

46,569

48,106

4.5

Personal Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

    New Brunswick

19,856

20,534

21,302

22,352

23,226

4.0

    Canada

984,164

1,034,859

1,103,201

1,171,741

1,227,930

5.7

Per Capita Personal Income
(in dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Brunswick

26,403

27,331

28,432

29,811

31,080

4.2

Canada

30,760

32,027

33,789

35,533

36,862

4.6

Private and Public Investment (new)

4,405

4,743

5,686

5,992

6,162

8.8

Retail Trade

7,963

8,326

8,814

9,318

9,872

5.5

Manufacturing Sales

14,192

15,248

14,836

15,680

17,877

5.9

Foreign Commodity Exports

9,438

10,678

10,377

11,182

12,808

7.9

Real Gross Domestic Product
(chained 2002 dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Brunswick

22,366

22,727

23,280

23,669

23,665

1.4

Canada

1,211,239

1,246,064

1,284,819

1,319,681

1,325,718

2.3

Change in Consumer Price Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Brunswick

1.5%

2.4%

1.7%

1.9%

1.7%

 

Canada

1.8%

2.2%

2.0%

2.2%

2.3%

 

Unemployment Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Brunswick

9.8%

9.7%

8.8%

7.5%

8.6%

 

Canada

7.2%

6.8%

6.3%

6.0%

6.1%

 




1Compound annual growth rate

 Source:  Statistics Canada



Structure of the economy


Contributions from natural resources (especially forestry and forestry related industries) to the New Brunswick economy have been in decline in recent years, 2008 in particular. The Provincial economy shows a larger concentration of service industries than goods-producing industries compared to Canada as a whole. During the 2004 to 2008 period, real GDP in the service industries accounted for 72% of total real GDP compared to 69% for Canada. Growth in goods-producing industries has been basically flat over the same time period.












9




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




The following table shows real GDP by industry in New Brunswick for the years 2004 to 2008, valued in chained 2002 dollars.


Gross Domestic Product by Industry1

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 


2004


2005


2006


2007


2008

CAGR2 %

2004-2008

 

(In millions of chained 2002 dollars)

 

Goods-Producing Industries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing

2,936.3

2,746.9

2,724.5

2,692.0

2,520.2

-3.7

Construction

1,123.2

1,157.4

1,414.4

1,535.1

1,574.4

8.8

Utilities

695.2

776.7

727.3

755.5

710.5

0.5

Primary Industries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

836.7

788.0

868.9

819.6

701.9

-4.3

    Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction

200.8

199.0

213.8

204.4

215.4

1.8

Total Goods-Producing Industries

5,783.8

5,669.5

5,938.3

5,988.1

5,743.4

-0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Service-Producing Industries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation and Warehousing

1,082.6

1,063.7

1,069.9

1,081.5

1,074.8

-0.0

Information and Cultural Industries

693.7

727.6

766.9

772.0

784.5

3.1

Retail Trade

1,283.7

1,323.1

1,392.9

1,456.4

1,516.0

4.2

Wholesale Trade

1,169.7

1,314.6

1,200.8

1,183.8

1,153.0

-0.0

Finance and Insurance, Real Estate,

   Renting, Leasing, Company

Management

3,428.7

3,592.0

3,708.5

3,812.9

3,916.9

3.4

Public Administration

1,931.1

1,955.6

1,998.5

2,033.8

2,081.8

1.9

Educational Services

1,066.8

1,086.9

1,104.8

1,121.7

1,143.8

1.8

Health Care and Social Assistance

1,571.1

1,581.3

1,615.2

1,645.9

1,693.0

1.9

    Professional, Scientific and Technical

Services

555.7

580.3

602.5

617.6

625.2

3.0

    Administrative and Support, Waste

Management and Remediation Services

483.3

492.0

497.1

502.6

512.9

1.5

Accommodation and Food Services

465.0

454.3

465.2

472.4

485.1

1.1

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

130.4

132.3

134.2

136.7

135.7

1.0

    Other Services

541.4

528.3

541.0

551.2

565.3

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Service-Producing Industries

14,409.4

14,837.5

15,097.9

15,387.2

15,685.8

2.1

Total Real Domestic Product

(at basic prices)

20,185.9

20,485.4

21,024.6

21,359.0

21,384.3

1.5


1Totals may not add up due to the adoption of the chain Fisher deflation methodology.

2Compound annual growth rate

Source:  Statistics Canada.








10




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Primary Industries


Mining.


New Brunswick is a major Canadian producer of lead, zinc, silver, potash, peat, antimony, bismuth and cadmium. Other locally produced minerals include copper, salt, limestone, coal, marl and silica. In 2008, the overall value of mineral production was estimated to total $1.4 billion, an 11.2% decrease from 2007.


The value of metallic mineral production in 2008 was $769.3 million, down significantly (-36%) from 2007. The metals sector accounts for 56.3% of the total value of mineral production. Coal and non-metallic mineral production are the remaining contributors to the total value of mineral production. Combined, their value reached $597.8 million, a 76% rise from 2006. The non-metals sector is influenced primarily by potash.  Foreign exports of zinc ores and concentrates originating from the Province declined 3.5% to $267 million in 2008.


Employment in the mining and oil and gas extraction industry stood at 5,000 in 2008, up 400 from a year earlier. The sector represents slightly more than 1% of Provincial GDP.  Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. announced the $1.7-billion development of a new mine adjacent to its existing operation near Sussex. Work on the expansion began in 2008 with completion expected in 2012.  


Mineral Production

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008p

 

(In millions of dollars)

Metallic Minerals

507.8

583.4

1,228.5

1,201.2

769.3

Fuels, including Coal

n/d

n/d

n/d

n/d

n/d

Non-Metallic Minerals

   n/d

   n/d

      n/d

      n/d

      n/d

Total

778.6

906.6

1,538.6

1,540.2

1,367.2

 


P - preliminary

n/d -  not disclosed

Source:  Statistics Canada.




Forestry


Approximately 83.5% of the land area of New Brunswick is forested and roughly one-half of the forested land is owned by the Province as Crown land. Nearly all Crown land is subject to timber licenses or harvest agreements. Harvest activities on Crown land generated $40.4 million in Crown royalties for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. The Province received $38.5 million of these royalties from Licensee and Sub-licensee harvest activities and $2.0 million was forwarded to New Brunswick First Nation Communities in accordance and in association with First Nation harvesting activities.


The following table sets forth the most recently published estimates of forest production in New Brunswick for the years 2003 through 2007.  









11




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




Forest Production

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

 

(In thousands of cubic metres)

Pulpwood

3,085

2,940

2,049

3,985

3,685

Logs and Bolts

7,637

7,995

7,818

6,371

5,191

Fuelwood

      36

      35

      71

      62

      58

Other

      30

      35

     30

     33

     10

Total

10,788

11,004

9,968

10,451

8,944


Note:  Due to incomplete details totals may not always agree.


Agriculture


The 2006 Census of Agriculture counted 2,776 farms in New Brunswick on May 16, 2006, down 8.5% from 3,034 farms in 2001.  While there were fewer farms in 2006 than in 2001, the agricultural land base has increased. New Brunswick reported 976,629 acres of farmland in 2006, up from 958,899 acres five years earlier.  Beef farms accounted for 19.7% of all farms in New Brunswick in 2006, followed by fruit and tree-nut operations (13.4%), hay farms (11.3%) and dairy farms (9.7%).Total farm cash receipts in the Province were $480.8 million in 2008, up 7% from the previous year.  Receipts for potatoes, the largest crop, increased 26.2% to $119.8 million.


Fishing


Lobster, crab, herring, shrimp, scallops, and sea urchin have been the species most important to the primary fishing industry, accounting for nearly 89% of the value of landings estimated at $177.2 million in 2007, a 15.9% increase from the $152.9 million in 2006.  The average annual value of fish landings during the 2003-2007 period was $180.9 million.  New methods of processing and marketing frozen and pre-cooked fish and shellfish have expanded market opportunities and increased the competitiveness of the industry.  



Secondary Industries


Manufacturing


Employment in the manufacturing sector dropped to 35,200 in 2008, down 2,700 from the previous year. Wood product manufacturing was hardest hit in terms of job losses (-2,500). Food manufacturing and fabricated metal product manufacturing experienced the biggest employment increases.  The manufacturing sector represents almost 12% of provincial GDP.


In 2008, the value of manufacturing sales increased by 14% to $17,877 million from $15,679 million. New developments in the manufacturing sector involved a new state-of-the-art potato processing plant in Florenceville, a recycling plant in Caraquet and a potato chip factory in Waterville.


The table below sets forth the leading industrial groups in New Brunswick’s manufacturing sector, according to gross selling value of factory sales, for the years 2004 through 2008.








12




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description

 



Gross Selling Value of Factory Sales

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAGR1 %

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2004-2008

 

(In millions of dollars)

 

Industry

 

 

Food Manufacturing

1,840.2

1,796.4

1,768.1

1,766.8

1,759.2

-1.1

Wood Product Manufacturing

1,583.4

1,468.2

1,248.9

1,001.1

860.5

-14.1

Miscellaneous Manufacturing2

10,768.2

11,983.5

11,818.7

12,911.7

15,257.4

9.1

Total

14,191.8

 15,248.1

 14,835.7

 15,679.6

 17,877.1

5.9



1Compound annual growth rate

2The principal components of "Miscellaneous" are petroleum products, paper manufacturing, lead smelting and electrical and electronics commodities.

Source: Statistics Canada


Construction


After posting significant employment gains in the previous year, the construction industry was relatively unchanged in 2008, losing 100 jobs. Residential construction investment grew 6.2% and non-residential investment increased by 2.0%.



Service Industries


Trade


In 2008, growth in New Brunswick’s retail trade grew at 4.9% and remained above 4.5% for the fourth year in a row. This industry accounts for more than 7% of provincial GDP. Gasoline stations and used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers displayed double-digit growth, while sales for new car dealers declined 1.4%. Nationally, retail sales increased 3.2%.


Provincial employment in the sector was 46,200 in 2008, up 600 from the previous year. Average weekly earnings increased 3.8%. Twelve of the fifteen published store types in the province reported positive sales growth, with double-digit gains in gasoline stations and sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores. Declines were exhibited in clothing stores, computer and software stores as well as shoe, clothing accessories and jewellery.


Transportation


Employment in Transportation and warehousing increased 6.8% in 2008 even though the trucking component declined. This sector represents 5% of provincial GDP. While truck transportation was down 1,100, rail transportation provided some offset as employment increased by 800. Postal service and couriers and messengers also experienced employment gains in 2008. Airports serving the three largest centers set record levels for passenger movements.


Construction on the $465 million Brunswick pipeline that connects the new LNG terminal in Saint John to the US market was deemed mechanically complete on January 31 2009.  


Communications and Technology


Employment in technology and communication in 2008 returned to a similar level reported in recent years; scientific and technical services exhibited growth while communication showed a decrease. This sector accounts for about 9% of provincial GDP. The customer contact sector has roughly 110 sites that employ about 21,000 people throughout the province. In 2008, average weekly earnings varied from $542.76 for business support services (including customer contact centers), to $961.79 for information and cultural industries, to $1,060.21for computer system design and related services.



13




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description



Tourism


In 2008, employment for accommodation and food services in New Brunswick fell 1.2% to 23,900. Average weekly earnings rose 1.4% in 2008. The tourism sector represents 2% of Provincial GDP.


New Brunswick accommodations sold over 1.7 million room nights in 2008, representing a 2% increase as compared to 2007.  Marginal decreases in room sales to New Brunswick residents were offset by a 4% increase in room sales to Canadians from outside of New Brunswick, and a 13% increase in room sales to U.S. and other international residents. However, U.S. resident visitation overall continued to decline in 2008 with a 14% decrease in U.S. resident border crossings into New Brunswick by auto for trips of one or more nights, and a 20% decrease in same-day trips.


Increased resident camping activity at New Brunswick’s provincial parks early and late in the season, and continuing increases in resident camping throughout the season, partially offset declines in non-resident campsite nights in 2008 as compared to 2007.  The 65,504 campsite nights sold by the end of October 2008 represented a 3% decrease from 2007, although sales remained 3% above 2006 levels.



Foreign Trade


Selected Trade Indicators

 

For Year Ending March 31,

 

(In millions of dollars unless otherwise stated)

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Exports of Goods and Services

18,489

20,384

20,615

21,315

23,922

  Exports to other countries

11,234

12,250

11,906

12,305

13,759

     Exports of goods to other countries

10,255

11,103

10,780

11,171

12,587

     Exports of services to other countries

979

1,147

1,126

1,134

1,172

  Exports to other provinces

7,255

8,134

8,709

9,010

10,163

     Exports of goods to other provinces

4,994

5,636

6,077

6,264

7,297

     Exports of services to other provinces

2,261

2,498

2,632

2,746

2,866

Ratio of Exports to Nominal GDP

78.1%

82.4%

79.8%

79.1%

87.7%

Imports of Goods and Services

20,554

22,950

24,209

25,587

29,578

 Imports from other countries

10,552

12,108

12,557

12,370

15,531

     Imports of goods from other countries

9,777

11,330

11,707

11,467

14,567

     Imports of services from other countries

775

778

850

903

964

  Imports from other provinces

10,002

10,842

11,652

13,217

14,047

     Imports of goods from other provinces

5,347

5,767

6,209

7,486

8,078

     Imports of services from other provinces

4,655

5,075

5,443

5,731

5,969

Ratio of Imports to Nominal GDP

86.8%

92.7%

93.7%

95.0%

108.4%

Trade Balance

(2,065)

(2,566)

(3,594)

(4,272)

(5,656)

Gross Domestic Product at Market Prices

23,672

24,748

25,825

26,947

27,288

 Source:  Statistics Canada


Foreign Exports of Commodities  


Foreign exports of commodities have become increasingly important to both the New Brunswick and Canadian economies. In 2008, foreign exports were equivalent to 50.4% of GDP for the Province compared to 35% for Canada.


New Brunswick’s foreign exports of commodities, estimated at $12,587 million in 2008 (in current dollars), increased at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% over the 2004 to 2008 period.




14




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Due to the significance of commodity exports, the economic performance of the Province is highly dependent on international economic conditions, particularly in the U.S. In 2008, the U.S. purchased an aggregate of 82.5% of the Province’s foreign commodity exports. Energy products (mostly refined petroleum products and some electricity) accounted for 65.6% of all commodity exports that year, followed by industrial goods at 10.2%, and both forest products and agricultural and fishing products at approximately 10% each respectively. Other important commodity exports are fertilizers, plastic products, machinery and mechanical appliances, potash, and metallic ores (mostly zinc).


The table below shows foreign exports of commodities from New Brunswick for the years 2004 to 2008. The largest component, energy products, increased at a compound annual growth rate of 17.1% during that time due to particularly strong increases in energy prices in the past few years. Exports of forest products decreased at a compound annual growth rate of 13% due to price declines and weak markets.   Declining at a compound annual growth rate of 0.6% over the past five years, exports of agricultural and fishing products experienced a period of strength in 2008 with growth of 13%.


 

Foreign Exports of Commodities


 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAGR1 (%)

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2004-2008

 

(In millions of dollars)

 

Forest Products

2,191.2

1,755.8

1,788.4

1,615.6

1,252.5

-13.0

Energy Products

4,470.9

6,181.4

5,810.4

6,658.2

8,406.4

17.1

Agriculture and Fishing Products

1,282.3

1,277.7

1,218.8

1,107.3

1,250.8

-0.6

Industrial Goods

692.3

801.7

852.9

1,095.6

1,305.6

17.2

Machinery and Equipment

565.3

459.0

471.5

471.1

335.4

-12.2

Other

   235.8

   202.4

     235.6

     234.7

    257.5

2.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

9,437.8

10,678.0

10,377.7

11,182.5

12,808.2

7.9


1Compound annual growth rate

Source:  Statistics Canada.



Foreign Imports of Commodities


The table below shows foreign imports of commodities to New Brunswick for the years 2004 to 2008. The largest component, energy products, increased at a compound annual growth rate of 17.6% during that time due to particularly strong increases in energy prices in the past few years.


Foreign Imports of Commodities

 

 

 


Year ended December 31,


CAGR1 (%)

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2004-2008

 

(In millions of dollars)

 

Forest Products

145.9

170.0

149.3

138.0

127.7

-3.3

Energy Products

4,126.8

5,135.9

5,108.3

4,996.8

7,882.8

17.6


Agriculture and Fishing Products

503.0

496.8

476.1

452.5

463.3


-2.0

Industrial Goods

952.8

1,040.9

725.7

798.3

985.9

0.9

Machinery and Equipment

638.3

713.9

613.7

602.1

840.6

7.1

Other

532.3

444.7

461.1

481.7

563.3

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

6,899.0

8,002.6

7,534.4

7,469.6

10,864.4

12.0


1Compound annual growth rate

Source:  Statistics Canada.



15




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




New Investment


The following table sets forth statistics regarding new investment in New Brunswick, by sector, and compares total new investment with Canada as a whole.


New Investment

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

 

(In millions of dollars)

Construction

 

 

 

 

 

Housing

1,291.0

1,305.2

1,394.3

1,524.1

1,593.8

Public Administration

402.8

433.5

476.4

420.0

559.0

Other

     877.7

      996.7

    1,717.7

    1,999.3

    2,013.6

Construction Investment

2,571.5

2,735.4

3,588.4

3,943.4

4,166.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Machinery and Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing

379.1

597.7

n/d

537.5

534.3

Finance and Insurance

218.6

222.8

246.7

272.2

218.1

Public Administration

126.6

134.0

129.5

179.3

182.3

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

113.5

212.3

227.3

215.0

200.4

Other

      995.3

      840.8

    1,494.1

      884.4

     861.0

Machinery and Equipment Investment

1,833.1

2,007.6

2,097.6

2,088.4

1,996.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total New Investment

    4,404.6

    4,743.0

    5,686.0

   6,031.8

6,162.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total New Investment (Canada)

247,881.7

273,225.3

305,410.2

328,804.6

346,018.2


n/d not disclosed

Source: Statistics Canada



Capital investment in New Brunswick increased 2.2% to a record $6.2 billion in 2008. Investment in the public sector continued to rise while it declined in the private sector. Private sector capital investment, which represents about 74% of the total, decreased 4.8% in 2008 with construction and machinery and equipment both experienced declines. Capital spending from the public sector rose 29% in 2008. Nationally, capital investment climbed 5.2%. Major investments since the mid-1990s included projects in the refined petroleum products, power generation, real estate, retailing, food processing, electronic products, communications, transportation, health, recreation, education, and forestry-related industries.


Construction on the $750 million Canaport LNG terminal and the $1.4-billion refurbishment of the Point Lepreau generating station  (which includes the cost of replacement electricity) continued in 2008. The $750-million LNG terminal became fully operational in 2009 and received its first shipment for re-gasification in June of 2009. Work on the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear plant continues in 2009.


 Residential construction investment totaled $1622.04 million in 2008, a 6.2% rise over 2007. Construction of new dwellings and renovation expenditures both contributed to the increase. Nationally, residential construction investment grew 3.2%. In 2008, Provincial housing starts increased 0.8% to 4,279 units.


Non-residential building construction investment increased 2.0% in 2008. Gains in the industrial component (+17%) more than offset a 3.3% decline in commercial building construction. Institutional and governmental building construction also provided some upward pressure to non-residential investment by increasing 3.3% in 2008. While healthy gains in construction spearheaded employment growth among New Brunswick’s industries in 2007, this was not the case in 2008 as employment in the industry decreased by 100. Construction industries represent more than 7% of Provincial GDP.




16




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description





Labour Force



Employment in New Brunswick experienced an increase in 2008 (+0.9%) with gains totalling 3,400 to reach a record high of 366,200. Employment gains were all in full-time work, which increased by 4,000 (+1.3%) and accounted for 84% of all jobs in the province. Part-time employment fell by 700 (-1.2%). Nationally, employment rose 1.5%. The Provincial unemployment rate increased from the previous year (which was a 32-year low) to 8.6% and marking the fifth consecutive year the rate has been lower than 10%. Canada’s jobless rate increased slightly to 6.1%. Unemployment in New Brunswick stood at 34,400, a 16.2% increase from 2007 while the national level increased 3.7%.



Labour Force

 

Average for Year Ended December 31,

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

 

(In thousands)

Population 15 years and over

607.6

610.4

611.3

613.2

617.9

Labour Force

388.0

388.2

389.6

392.4

400.6

Labour Force Employed

350.1

350.5

355.4

362.8

366.2

Labour Force Unemployed

38.0

37.7

34.2

29.6

34.4

Unemployment Rate

 

 

 

 

 

     New Brunswick

9.8%

9.7%

8.8%

7.5%

8.6%

     Canada

7.2%

6.8%

6.3%

6.0%

6.1%

Participation Rate

 

 

 

 

 

     New Brunswick

63.9%

63.6%

63.7%

64.0%

64.8

     Canada

67.5%

67.2%

67.2%

67.6%

67.8


Source: Statistics Canada



From 2004 to 2008, the number of persons employed in New Brunswick increased 4.6­%. The goods-producing sector, which was a pillar of employment strength in 2007, suffered job losses in 2008 (-1,600), most notably in manufacturing (-2,700). The majority of job growth in the Province in 2008 was focused in the Service-Producing Sector with employment increasing by 5,000.  The largest gains in the Service-Producing Sector occurred in Public Administration and Health Care and Social Assistance.


The following table indicates employment by industry in New Brunswick for the years 2004 through 2008.



Employment by Industry

 

 

 

Average for Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

 

(In thousands)

Goods-Producing Sector

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

6.7

6.8

6.2

6.3

6.0

Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Oil and Gas

11.7

11.6

9.9

11.1

11.7

Manufacturing

41.9

35.9

36.9

37.9

35.2

Utilities

3.6

3.3

3.1

4.1

4.9

Construction

19.4

18.6

21.1

24.0

23.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service-Producing Sector

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

54.1

58.2

56.8

57.2

57.7

Transportation and Warehousing

20.1

21.2

19.9

19.1

20.4



17




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description





Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

16.1

15.1

14.5

15.5

17.2

Business, Building and Other Support Services

21.2

21.0

21.8

20.2

19.4

Educational Services

24.8

26.4

27.2

26.8

25.9

Health Care and Social Assistance

48.1

46.8

45.3

48.0

50.9

Information, Culture and Recreation

11.1

12.5

11.9

13.4

11.8

Accommodation and Food Services

21.6

22.2

25.0

24.2

23.9

Other Services

17.3

16.4

17.7

17.1

15.8

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing

14.0

13.5

16.4

16.4

15.8

Public Administration

  18.5

  21.0

  21.7

  21.4

25.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

350.1

350.5

355.4

362.8

366.2


Source: Statistics Canada


Economic Development


Economic growth is assisted by the Federal government’s Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (“ACOA”) which was launched in June 1987 with a mandate to stimulate economic development in the Atlantic Provinces. In addition, economic growth will be enhanced by investments in infrastructure which are made possible by the following joint initiatives:

The Canada-New Brunswick Infrastructure Program Agreement came into effect in 2000 to improve urban and rural municipal infrastructure in New Brunswick.  Canada and New Brunswick are each contributing $54.4 million to be matched by municipalities for a total fund of $163.2 million. As at March 31, 2009, $109.0 million of Federal/Provincial funding had been expended under this Agreement.  This initiative will continue until March 31, 2010.

The Canada-New Brunswick Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Agreement came into effect in 2004 to improve local infrastructure projects in New Brunswick.  Canada and New Brunswick are each contributing $39.6 million to be matched by municipalities for a total of $118.8 million.  As at March 31, 2008, $61.6 million of Federal/Provincial funding had been expended under this Agreement.  This initiative will continue until March 31, 2011.

The Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on the Transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues under the New Deal for Cities and Communities came into effect in 2006 for investment in environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure.  Canada and New Brunswick are contributing $116.1 million and $30.0 million, respectively, for a total of $146.1 million.  As at March 31, 2008, $66.2 million had been expended under this initiative.

The Canada-New Brunswick Public Transit Capital Trust was established beginning in 2006 to invest a total of $41.4 million in public transit in New Brunswick. As at March 31, 2009, $28.1 million had been expended under this initiative.

Under the Canada-New Brunswick Building Canada Fund – Base Funding agreement which came into effect in 2008, $175 million of Federal funding will be invested in infrastructure projects during the seven years ending March 31, 2014.  This funding is to be matched by the province.  As at March 31, 2009, $44.2 million had been expended under this Agreement.

The Community Development Trust was established in 2008 by the Government of Canada to invest $30.0 million over three years in communities most affected by changes in the global economy.  As of March 31, 2009, $8.0 million had been expended from this trust.

In addition, economic growth will be enhanced by other investments which are made possible by the following joint initiatives:

The Canada ecoTrust Fund was established in 2007 by the Government of Canada to invest $34 million over three years in projects identified by the Climate Change Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.  As at March 31, 2009, $10 million has been expended under this fund.

The Province of New Brunswick is also investing directly in the following three initiatives in support of economic growth:



18




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


·

In 1999 the Government of New Brunswick committed $50.0 million for the Acadian Peninsula Economic Development Fund in support of economic stimulation in the northeastern region of the Province.  As at March 31, 2009, $48.8 million has been expended under this initiative.  Beginning in 2002, a similar $30 million fund was established to support the Restigouche-Chaleur Economic Development Initiative in the northern part of the Province. As at March 31, 2009, $27.7 million has been expended under this initiative.  In 2004, the $25 million Miramichi Regional Economic Development Fund was established to provide economic development to the Miramichi region.  As at March 31, 2009, $22.5 million had been expended under this initiative.

·

In 2001, the Total Development Fund was established by the Government of New Brunswick to fund the implementation of value-added development initiatives in the forestry, mining, energy, aquaculture, agriculture, and tourism sectors.  As at March 31, 2009, $52.6 million had been expended under this program.

·

In 2008, the Government of New Brunswick committed $100 million to the Northern New Brunswick Infrastructure Initiative, a comprehensive development strategy for the northern regions of New Brunswick.  As at March 31, 2009, $2.0 million has been expended under this initiative.  

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE OF THE PROVINCE


General Information


Under the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Constitution Act, 1982 provincial legislatures are given certain exclusive powers, including the power to impose direct taxation within the provinces to raise revenue for provincial purposes and the power to borrow money on the sole credit of the provinces.


The Financial Administration Act governs the receipt of public money, the disbursement of public funds, the control of expenditures, and the keeping and auditing of public accounts of the Province.  All public monies are to be deposited to the credit of the Province and constitute the Consolidated Fund of the Province.  Monies necessary for the carrying out of the operations of the Provincial government for each fiscal year are voted by the Legislative Assembly, with the exception of those expenditures for which provision has already been made through existing legislative authority.  In addition, under the authority of the Financial Administration Act, should the occasion arise when the Legislative Assembly is not in session, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may order the issue of a special warrant authorizing payment out of the Consolidated Fund for an expenditure required urgently for the public good which was not provided for by the Legislative Assembly.  Amounts appropriated under special warrant must be approved at the next session of the Legislative Assembly.


In accordance with the Financial Administration Act and certain other Acts, funds received for a special purpose are to be disbursed for that purpose.  Unlike other budgetary accounts, any unspent balance of these funds may be spent in subsequent fiscal years without appropriation by the Legislative Assembly.  At March 31, 2009, the balance of unspent special purpose funds was $110.3 million.


Funds may also be considered as Special Operating Agency Funds.  Revenue may be generated by the Agencies or from transfers from other budgetary accounts.  Any unspent balance of these funds may, with permission from the Board of Management as per the Financial Administration Act, be carried forward to subsequent fiscal years.  At March 31, 2009, the balance of unspent special operating funds approved for carry-over was $30.6 million.  All transactions between the Special Operating Agencies and Provincial departments are eliminated from the Province's combined statement of revenue and expenditure.


Volume 1 of the public accounts contains the consolidated financial statements of the Province which are subject to audit by the Auditor General.  The Auditor General is an official responsible under the provisions of the Auditor General Act for the examination of the accounts of the Province and for reporting thereon annually to the Legislative Assembly.   The consolidated financial statements include certain organizations that are accountable to the Provincial Legislature and are included in the Provincial Reporting Entity as described in Note 1(a) and (b) to the financial statements.  The methods by which the various organizations are included in the Province's financial statements are also outlined in Note 1(b).


Each fiscal year, the Minister of Finance delivers a budget and the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure (the "Budget Estimates") to the Legislative Assembly.  The Minister of Finance reports on the status of the budget plan during the year.  The Budget Estimates include the revenue and expenditures of some Provincially-created Boards, Commissions and Crown corporations, or the net profits of such entities, or the Provincial contribution towards the operations of such entities, as well as funds advanced through such entities to various individuals and enterprises in the form of repayable loans and investments.  




19




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


The Province enacted the Fiscal Responsibility and Balanced Budget Act in 2006 which states that “It is the objective of the Government of New Brunswick that, in respect of each fiscal period, the total amount of expenses for that fiscal period not exceed the total amount of revenue for that fiscal period.”  The most recently ended fiscal period commenced April 1, 2004 and ended March 31, 2007.  A new fiscal period began April 1, 2007 and will end March 31, 2011.  The Government met its objective with a cumulative surplus of $597.8 million for the fiscal period ending March 31, 2007, and had a cumulative surplus of $86.7 million for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2008.  In its 2009-2010 Budget, the Government indicated that given the global economic and financial climate, objectives of the Act for the current four-year period would not be met.  For the period ended March 31, 2009, the government generated a $192.3 million deficit for Balanced Budget purposes which resulted in a cumulative deficit of $105.6 million.


The Province implemented Tangible Capital Asset Accounting and introduced major changes in accounting policies during the year ended March 31, 2005.  It implemented the new government reporting model recommendations of PSAB of the CICA.  In addition to restating net debt, the new accounting model introduced an additional financial measure for governments that is referred to as the accumulated deficit.  It is the net debt minus non-financial assets.  With this model, net debt is divided into two components: the portion that relates to investment in capital infrastructure and other non-financial assets and the portion that relates to past operating deficits or the accumulated deficit.   The new reporting model has resulted in a number of financial statement changes.  In some cases, historical data cannot be reproduced in the new format.


The following table sets forth information regarding the surplus or deficit for the four fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and the Budget Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.



20




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




Comparative Statement of Surplus or Deficit

 

Year Ending March 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

Budget

 

Estimates

BUDGETARY ACCOUNTS

 

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

 

(In thousands of dollars)

Ordinary Account

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

  5,920,643

  6,241,180

  6,543,893

6,655,047

6,578,356

Expenditures

 

  5,689,717

  5,972,674

  6,422,600

6,806,359

7,185,836

Surplus (Deficit)

 

     230,926

     268,506

     121,293

(151,312)

    (607,480)

Capital Account

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

       30,107

       28,935

     153,806

48,085

       57,421

Expenditures

 

     405,313

     432,821

     874,805

474,982

     661,360

Surplus (Deficit)

 

( 375,206)

( 403,886)

( 720,999)

(426,897)

( 603,939)

Special Purpose Account

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

       53,345

       62,648

       62,442

67,090

       60,047

Expenditures

 

       46,460

       53,102

       52,276

      61,915

       63,681

Surplus (Deficit)

 

         6,885

        9,546

       10,166

5,175

( 3,634)

Special Operating Agency Account (Net)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

       235,251

       246,294

       294,229

307,676

     160,127

Expenditures

 

       201,294

       229,992

       289,488

     286,431

     147,887

Surplus (Deficit)

 

         33,957

         16,302

           4,741

21,245

         12,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sinking Fund Earnings

 

     226,367

     231,745

     230,655

233,407

     234,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting Adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

( 7,900)

( 7,086)

( 215,551)

(197,344)

              ---

Expenditure

 

            585

( 18,832)

( 242,473)

(77,093)

              ---

Consolidated Revenue

 

 6,457,813

6,803,716

    7,069,474

7,113,961

7,090,051

Add: Amortization of Deferred Capital

   Contributions

 

           22,398

           23,174

           27,135

30,912

           30,553

Less:  Capital Revenues Related to Tangible

   Capital Assets

 

( 24,930)

( 43,489)

( 165,380)

(64,859)

( 57,206)

Items netted for Budget Purposes

 

       27,279

       30,818

       33,671

        32,786

       33,937

Operating Revenue

 

  6,482,560

  6,814,219

  6,964,900

7,112,800

  7,097,335

Consolidated Expenditures

 

  6,343,369

  6,669,757

  7,396,696

7,568,071

  8,058,764

Add: Amortization Expense

 

    227,446

     238,700

     253,346

279,960

     282,979

Less:  Gross Investment in Tangible Capital

   Assets

 

( 342,596)

( 367,250)

( 837,763)

(440,780)

( 537,466)

Other Accounting Adjustments

 

( 8,021)

5,827

 22,250

(119,466)

--              

Items netted for Budget Purposes

 

         27,279

         30,818

         33,671

        32,786

         33,937

Operating Expense

 

  6,247,477

  6,577,852

  6,868,200

7,305,094

7,838,214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surplus (Deficit)

 

     235,083

     236,367

       96,700

    (192,294)

    (740,879)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) Decrease in Net Debt from Operations

 

         114,444

         133,959

( 327,222)

(438,633)

( 968,713)





21




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description



Changes in Cash Flow


 

The following table sets forth the changes in cash flow of the Province for the four fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and the Budget Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.

 

Changes in Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

Budget

 

Estimates1

 

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

 

Operating Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Surplus (Deficit)

    235.1

    236.4

      96.7

(192.3)

(740.9)

  Non-Cash Items

 

 

 

 

 

 Amortization of Premiums, Discounts and Issue

    Expenses

         7.4

          7.3

          8.1

8.1

             -

Foreign Exchange Expense

    (7.8)

  (30.8)

  (16.8)

(6.6)

             -

Increase in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

     59.7

     69.9

     58.6

118.9

              -

Sinking Fund Earnings

(226.4)

(231.8)

(230.7)

(233.4)

      (234.1)

Amortization of Tangible Capital Assets

  227.5

   238.7

   253.4

279.9

         283.0

Amortization of Deferred Capital Contributions

  (22.4)

  (23.1)

  (27.1)

(31.0)

        (30.6)

Loss on Disposals of Tangible Capital Assets

       0.4

       0.3

       2.0

1.0

              -

Actual Losses (Gains) Due to Foreign Exchange

     19.1

     16.6

       4.5

3.5

             -

Decrease in Pension Liability

(126.5)

 (156.6)

(118.3)

34.5

              -

Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue

5.4

     41.9

15.6

17.0

              -

Decrease (Increase) in Working Capital

  (79.2)

(128.3)

     64.7

(105.7)

                -

Net Cash from (Used In) Operating Activities

     92.3

     40.5

     110.7

  (106.1)

        (722.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) Decrease in Investments, Loans and Advances

(401.5)

(95.0)

(198.9)

(20.6)

 (160.9)

Non-Cash Adjustment in Investing Activities

           -

           -

       8.0

(128.1)

                -

Net Cash (Used In) Investing Activities

(401.5)

  (95.0)

(190.9)

(148.7)

      (160.9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of Capital Assets

(342.6)

(367.3)

(837.8)

(440.8)

     (537.5)

Cash Received to Acquire Tangible Capital Assets

    24.9

     43.5

   165.4

     64.9

           57.2

Cash Used in Capital Transactions

(317.7)

(323.8)

(672.4)

(375.9)

      (480.3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Net Proceeds from Issuance of Funded Debt

   987.9

1,095.3

   733.4

1,486.9

              -

Received from Sinking Fund for Redemption of

   Debentures and Payment of Exchange

         144.1

         376.7

         180.4

375.0

              -

Decrease in Obligations Under Capital Leases

  (15.3)

  (17.0)

  (11.7)

(19.5)

              -

Sinking Fund Installments

(127.9)

(129.1)

(143.4)

(139.6)

              -

Funded Debt Matured

(453.2)

(755.5)

(537.3)

(861.3)

                -

Net Cash from Financing Activities

   535.6

   570.4

   221.4

841.5

                -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Cash Position during Year

  (91.3)

   192.1

(531.2)

210.8

                 -

Cash Position – Beginning of Year

   150.4

     59.1

   251.2

(280.0)

                -

Cash Position – End of Year

     59.1

   251.2

(280.0)

(69.2)

                -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Represented by

 

 

 

 

 

Cash net of Bank Advances and Short Term Borrowing

      59.1

   251.2

 (280.0)

(69.2)

                -


 1 The Budget Estimates do not include estimates of total borrowing requirements of the Province.  For information with respect to financial requirements of the Province and with respect to maturing debt of the Province, see Financing-Financial Requirements” and “Financing-Funded Debt Maturity Schedule”, respectively.         (-) Denotes no estimate provided.



22




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




2008-2009 Budget Estimates  


For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 there was a deficit of $192.3 million. This represents a decrease of $211.3 million over the budgeted surplus of $19.0 million. Operating revenues essentially came in on budget, $8.5 million higher than budget at $7,112.8 million and operating expenses were $219.8 million higher than budget at $7,305.1 million. Expenses were higher largely the result of the global economic downturn. More specifically the Province incurred $137.2 million in additional pension expense due to significant losses on pension fund asset values as well as $61.5 million in increased provision for losses on Business New Brunswick’s loan portfolio. Net debt increased by $438.6 million for the year compared to the budgeted increase of $118.3 million.


Fiscal Update 2009-2010


On September 2, 2009, the Premier announced a full budget would be tabled on December 1, 2009 including a complete fiscal update for the fiscal year 2009-2010.  The Premier indicated that due to the current global economic situation, it would be prudent to provide a full budget for 2010-2011 and an update for 2009-2010.  It was also stated the government remains committed to bringing the province’s books back into balance.


Major Sources of Ordinary Account Revenue


The major sources of ordinary account revenue for the Province are payments from the Federal government, consumption taxes and income taxes.  For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, the Province’s revenue is estimated at $6,578.4 million, projecting a decrease of 1.2% from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.  Overall this represents a projected decrease of $76.6 million in revenue.  Revenue is contracting due to the global economic slowdown and the government’s Plan for Lower Taxes in New Brunswick. The principal factors that have decreased are the following: Personal Income Tax ($98.9 million), Other Agencies ($88.2 million) and Consumption Tax ($71.6 million), partially offset by projected increases for Federal Government Payments ($105.7 million),  Corporate Income Tax ($60.5 million) and Licenses, Permits, and Fees ($25.0 million).


The following table shows the percentage sources of ordinary account revenue for the four fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and the Budget Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.



Ordinary Account Revenue Sources

 

Year Ending March 31

 

 


Budget Estimates

Compound Annual

Growth  Rate

 

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2006-10

 

(%)

 

Taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Income

18.0

18.8

19.2

19.9

18.6

 

3.6

Corporate Income

3.5

6.1

6.5

2.1

3.0

 

(1.1)

Consumption

19.6

18.7

17.1

20.4

19.6

 

2.6

Property

5.9

5.7

5.6

6.0

6.2

 

4.3

Miscellaneous

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.6

 

1.3

Total Taxes

47.6

50.0

49.0

49.0

48.1

 

2.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses, Permits and Fees

5.4

5.3

5.0

5.0

5.4

 

2.9

Federal Government Payments

38.9

38.7

38.0

39.2

41.3

 

4.2

Other Agencies

6.3

4.3

5.6

4.7

3.4

 

(12.2)

Miscellaneous

1.8

1.7

2.3

2.2

1.9

 

3.9

Total Revenue

   100.0

   100.0

   100.0

   100.0

   100.0

 

 

Total Net Ordinary Account Revenue (millions of dollars)

5,920.6

6,241.2

6,543.9

6,655.0

6,578.4

 

2.7



23




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description



Personal and Corporate Income Taxes.  New Brunswick’s Provincial personal and corporate income taxes are collected and administered by the Federal government under a Federal-Provincial tax collection agreement.  For the taxation years up to and including 1999, personal income tax was calculated as a percentage of Federal income tax.  Effective January 1, 2000, the Province adopted a ‘tax on taxable income’ method of calculating Provincial personal income tax.  This method gave New Brunswick personal income tax policy flexibility to help ensure the tax system addresses the government’s social, economic and fiscal objectives.


The Plan for Lower Taxes in New Brunswick introduced in the 2009-2010 Budget announced that the existing four-rate, four-bracket personal income tax structure will be replaced with two rates of 9% and 12% and two-brackets. This two-rate system will be phased in over time and will be fully in place by 2012. Amendments to implement these changes were approved in the Legislature in June 2009.


Provincial Personal Income Tax Rates and Brackets

 

 

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

10.12%

on first $34,836

9.65%

on first $35,707

9.3%

on first $36,421

9.1%

on first $37,150



9% on first $37,893

12% over $37,893

15.48% on

$34,836 to $69,673

14.5% on

$35,707 to $71,415

12.5% on

$36,421 to $72,843

12.1% on

$37,150 to $74,300

16,80% on

$69,673 to $113,273

16.0% on

$71,415 to $116,105

13.3% on

$72,843 to $118,427

12.4% on

$74,300 to $120,796

17.95% over $113,273

17.0% over $116,105

14.3% over $118,427

12.7% over $120,796


Provincial income tax credit amounts and tax brackets are indexed annually and for the years 2010 to 2012 they are indexed by the greater of national CPI and 2%.


In the 2001-2002 Budget, the Province introduced a low-income tax reduction that has been enhanced over the years. Currently, the Low-Income Tax Reduction ensures that all single tax filers with incomes up to $14,361 and families with incomes up to $24,645 will pay no Provincial personal income tax for the 2009 taxation year.  The Plan for Lower Taxes in New Brunswick enhanced the Low-Income Tax Reduction to provide more tax relief to low and middle-income earners.   Prior to 2009, the Low-Income Tax Reduction was phased out at 5 percent of income. For 2009 the phase out was reduced to 4 percent and will be phased out at 3 percent for subsequent taxation years.  As in previous years, eligible low-income families with dependent children may also receive the New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit and the New Brunswick Working Income Supplement, depending upon their income level.  


The 2007-2008 Budget announced the implementation of Government’s Charter for Change commitment of doubling the Low-Income Seniors Benefit from $100 to $200 effective April 1, 2007.  The 2009-2010 Budget increased the amount of the provincial benefit available to New Brunswick low-income seniors from $200 to $300 in 2009.  The Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit will be further increased to $400 in 2010, fulfilling the government’s commitment to reach this target during this mandate.  


In June 2006, the New Brunswick Legislature passed the Tuition Tax Cash Back Credit Act.  Under this program, New Brunswickers and others who attended post-secondary institutions anywhere, paid tuition after January 1, 2005 and decide to live and work in New Brunswick will be eligible for a rebate of 50% of their tuition costs to a maximum of $20,000, increased from $10,000 in the 2009-2010 Budget.  Individuals can apply for up to $4,000 per year, increased from $2,000 in the 2009-2010 Budget.  The 2007-2008 Budget amended the Tuition Rebate program to require graduation from an eligible post-secondary institution.


As part of the Government's efforts to encourage post-secondary education, on October 3, 2006, cabinet members approved the creation of $2,000 grants to first-time university students.  The 2009-2010 Budget eliminated this grant and redirected the funding to the Debt Reduction for Timely Completion Benefit program.  This measure will assist graduates with a high student debt who complete their program of study at a publicly funded post-secondary educational institution within the program’s established timeline.



24




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description



The 2009-2010 Budget also announced that taxpayers paying medical or disability-related expenses on behalf of a dependent relative may claim those expenses under the medical expense tax credit. Currently, the maximum eligible amount that can be claimed on behalf of such a dependent relative in New Brunswick is $5,000. This eligible maximum was increased to $10,000, effective for the 2009 taxation year.


To encourage entrepreneurship and assist small businesses with obtaining equity capital, the Province implemented the Small Business Investor Tax Credit effective August 1, 2003.  This tax credit provides a 30% non-refundable personal income tax credit on eligible investments by New Brunswickers made after August 1, 2003.  The credit is applied against Provincial personal income tax otherwise payable.  The 2007-2008 Budget announced the enhancement of the Small Business Investor Tax Credit effective for applications received on or after March 13, 2007.  The enhancements include: (1) increasing the size of the allowable investment for the 30% credit from $50,000 to $80,000 so that the maximum amount of credit available to an individual investor increased from $15,000 to $24,000, (2) broadening the type of shares issued to include convertible, preferred shares and (3) increasing the size of business that is eligible to participate in the program from $25 million in net tangible assets to $40 million.  The 2009-2010 Budget further enhanced the Small Business Investor Tax Credit by increasing the size of the allowable investment for the 30% credit from $80,000 to $250,000 so that the maximum amount of credit available to an individual investor increased from $24,000 to $75,000.  The Budget also announced that amendments will be made to the program to allow a larger number of investors to participate in an investment project.


The New Brunswick Labour Sponsored Venture Capital (“LSVC”) non-refundable tax credit is intended to make venture capital financing more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses in the province.  The 2009-2010 Budget announced that the LSVC tax credit program will be enhanced to allow for an increase in the qualifying investment from $5,000 to $10,000 and the tax credit rate will increase from 15% to 20%.  These measures will apply to shares purchased after March 17, 2009.  To ensure that small and medium-sized businesses gain the maximum benefit from this enhancement, amendments will be made to provide for timely and greater reinvestment of LSVC dollars into New Brunswick companies.


On November 30, 2006, the New Brunswick Government paralleled the Federal changes to the taxation of dividend income by introducing a two-rate dividend tax credit (“DTC”) structure.  At that time, the enhanced New Brunswick DTC provided a rate of 12% on eligible dividends from large Canadian corporations paid on or after January 1, 2006.  The 2007-2008 New Brunswick Budget further modified the two-rate DTC structure that was announced in November 2006.  As a result of the increase to the Provincial small business CIT rate, the Budget announced the enhancement of the tax credit on dividends received from small business on or after January 1, 2007 from 3.7% to 5.3%.


The corporate income tax (“CIT”) is calculated as a percentage of corporate taxable income as defined for Federal tax purposes.  The Plan for Lower Taxes in New Brunswick reduced the general corporate income tax rate from 13% to 8% by 2012.  The table below shows the general corporate income tax rates from 2009 to 2012.  The general corporate income tax rate will be reduced on July 1st in each of those years.



New Brunswick Provincial General Corporate income Tax Rate: 2009 to 2012


2008

2009

(Effective July 1)

2010

(Effective July 1)

2011

(Effective July 1)

2012

(Effective July 1)

13%

12%

11%

10%

8%



The current Provincial small business corporate income tax rate is 5% and the income threshold eligible for the small business rate was increased in the 2009-2010 Budget from $400,000 to $500,000.


Effective January 1, 2003, New Brunswick’s Research and Development tax credit was significantly increased and enhanced from a 10% non-refundable tax credit to a 15% refundable tax credit for expenditures that are eligible for the Federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit. Also, New Brunswick offers a 40% refundable Film Tax Credit. The credit is applied to eligible wages and salaries paid to New Brunswick residents.


Capital Taxes.  Effective April 1, 1997, the Province introduced a Large Corporations Capital Tax applied to taxable capital in excess of $5 million at a rate of 0.3%.  The Large Corporations Capital Tax applies to the same definition of taxable capital as the Federal Large Corporations Tax but does not apply to Federally defined financial institutions.  In December 2005, the Province announced a $250-million, five-year plan to help the forestry industry respond to current challenges in



25




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


world market conditions.  Part of this initiative was the commitment to eliminate the Large Corporations Capital Tax by the end of 2008.  This tax was reduced to 0.25% for 2006, 0.2% for 2007, 0.1% for 2008, and was eliminated for 2009 and subsequent taxation years.


For banks, loan companies and trust companies, New Brunswick applies a capital tax on capital assets in excess of $10 million at a rate of 3%.  The Province administers the capital tax on financial institutions.  Both the Large Corporations Capital Tax and the Financial Corporations Capital Tax are deductible for Federal and Provincial corporate income tax purposes.  


Harmonized Sales Tax.  Effective April 1, 1997, New Brunswick eliminated its Provincial retail sales tax and adopted a harmonized sales tax (“HST”) of 15%.  The HST is a value-added tax and was composed of the Federal 7% goods and services tax (“GST”) and a Provincial component of 8%.  The Federal government administers the HST.  The tax adopts the Federal GST base and therefore applies to all goods and services subject to tax under the Federal Excise Tax Act.   On July 1, 2006, the Federal government reduced the GST to 6%.  As a result, the HST rate in New Brunswick was reduced to 14%.  On January 1, 2008, the Federal government further reduced the GST to 5%.  As a result, the HST rate in New Brunswick was reduced to 13%.


Under the HST, businesses receive full input tax credits for tax paid on business purchases.  As with the Federal GST, the HST provides the same tax-free status for certain goods offered under the GST (e.g. basic groceries).  In addition, a number of rebates and credits are available.  Books receive a point-of-sale rebate on the 8% Provincial portion of the HST.  Matching Federal rebate programs, the Province provides partial rebates on the Provincial portion of the HST for municipalities, charities and non-profit organizations in respect of tax payable that is not otherwise recoverable.  New Brunswick also participated in the Foreign Visitor Rebate Program that allowed non-residents to claim the 8% Provincial portion of the HST on goods and services purchased in New Brunswick.  On September 25, 2006, the Government of Canada announced amendments to the Excise Tax Act that would eliminate the Visitor Rebate Program effective April 1, 2007. The Federal Budget 2007 confirmed this elimination and at the same time introduced a new Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (“FCTIP”).  FCTIP is a new rebate program that provides GST/HST relief to non-resident consumers and non-resident non-GST/HST-registered businesses for short-term and/or camping accommodation in Canada included in a tour package and for certain properties and/or services used in the course of conventions held in Canada.  New Brunswick is participating in the new FCTIP.


Gasoline and Motive Fuel Taxes. The Provincial gasoline and motive fuel tax rates are currently 10.7 cents per litre for gasoline and 16.9 cents per litre for motive fuel.  To provide relief to New Brunswick drivers at the pumps, the Provincial gasoline tax was reduced by 3.8 cents per litre, effective at midnight October 3, 2006.  The government has also provided equivalent relief to owners of non-commercial diesel vehicles through a reduction in annual vehicle registration fees.  A $40 annual payment is made to the registered owner. Payments commenced for vehicles registered for the first time or registrations renewed after Oct. 3, 2006.  


Tobacco Tax. To discourage smoking and to help offset the costs that smoking imposes on the health care system, New Brunswick tobacco taxes were increased twice in 2002.  On June 18th, 2002, tobacco taxes increased from 7.25 to 9.75 cents per cigarette, from 4.95 to 7.45 cents per tobacco stick and from 3.99 to 6.49 cents per gram of fine cut tobacco.  On December 10, 2002, tobacco taxes were further increased from 9.75 to 11.75 cents per cigarette, from 7.45 to 9.45 cents per tobacco stick and from 6.49 to 8.49 cents per gram of fine cut tobacco.  


Property Taxes.  New Brunswick levies a Provincial real property tax of $1.50 per $100 of assessment on residential property that is not occupied by the owner.  A Provincial property tax rate of 65 cents per $100 of assessment is applied to owner-occupied residential property in unincorporated areas.  The Province also levies a property tax on non-residential property at a rate of $2.25 per $100 of assessment.  In addition to the residential and non-residential property tax rates, the Province applies a cost of assessment levy of two cents per $100 of assessment.  Municipal/local taxes are imposed to defray the cost of providing local services that are not provided by the Province.  In the case of incorporated municipalities, municipal taxes are collected by the Province and are remitted back to the municipality.  In unincorporated areas, the local tax is collected and retained by the Province, as the Province provides and pays for the provision of local services.  The Province offers a low-income property tax allowance of up to $200 for families with taxable incomes of $20,000 or under.  A fee of 5 cents per $100 of assessment is imposed on residential property that is not owner-occupied and is not exempt under the Assessment Act.  


Effective January 1, 2005, qualifying not-for-profit housing corporations and not-for-profit co-operative housing associations are eligible to receive relief from the Provincial property tax applied to their low-income rental housing property.  




26




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


In the 2005-2006 Budget, Government introduced legislation to amend the Assessment Act to encourage private sector businesses to develop and utilize heritage properties.  This program provides a property tax incentive for owners of designated heritage properties who undertake an approved restoration.  The owner of the designated heritage property is forgiven a portion of the net increase in Provincial and municipal taxes resulting from the increase in assessed value of this property for a four-year period.


On July 7, 2007, Government announced a new High Energy Use Tax Rebate to paper mills over the next two years for additional electricity costs resulting from the power rate increase approved by the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (“EUB”) for the period April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 and to offset financial and market pressures. This assistance will be provided through a rebate against Provincial property taxes. To be eligible for the rebate, the paper mills must be operating as of March 31, 2008, they must be producing at 85 per cent of their previous year’s output at a minimum and they must not have any arrears in their property taxes. To receive the rebate in the second year, the mills must be operating as of March 31, 2009 and meet the same production criteria.  The 2009-2010 Budget extended the High Energy Use Tax Rebate by one year to March 31, 2010.


The 2009-2010 Budget announced that the Forestry Industry Investment Tax Credit will be offered for one year to help this critical sector make needed investments in manufacturing and processing facilities.  Qualifying forestry companies will be eligible for a rebate of 50% of their capital investments in manufacturing and processing equipment up to a maximum of 50% of the provincial property tax paid.


The Plan for Lower Taxes in New Brunswick provides for an accountability mechanism that will help prevent provincial and municipal property taxes from automatically escalating when assessments rise.  With this mechanism, increased revenues from growth in the assessment base associated with new construction, and market value increases of up to inflation, will continue to automatically flow to municipalities and the Province. By applying an accountability adjustment factor to the municipal or provincial property tax rate, the rate will be reduced to ensure that the revenue from the assessment base only reflects the growth due to new construction, and market value increases of up to inflation.  In the event that a municipality or the Province wanted to benefit from the amount of the assessment base growth exceeding new construction plus the market value increase up to inflation, they would have to increase their rate from the rate established by the accountability mechanism – by a vote at municipal council or in the provincial Legislature.



Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements


Bill C-52, an Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2007, received Royal Assent on June 22, 2007.   Bill C-52 defines the changes to the fiscal Equalization and Canada Health Transfer and Canada Social Transfer payments to the provinces and the funding to the territories for the fiscal year beginning on April 1st, 2007.  The changes to the Equalization Program were based on the recommendations of the Federally-appointed Expert Panel on Equalization.  Additionally, it provided for a one-time payment to provinces and territories for the fiscal year 2007-2008 in support of child care spaces, along with one-time trust funds for clean air and climate change, a national HPV immunization program and the implementation of a patient wait times guarantee.


Fiscal Equalization Payments.  New Brunswick is one of seven provinces to receive fiscal equalization payments from the Federal government.  The Equalization Program assists provinces in providing reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.  New Brunswick's equalization payment for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2007 was $1,450.8 million and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 was $1,476.5 million.  Fiscal equalization payments accounted for 23.3% of total ordinary revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 and 22.6% of the total ordinary revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.


Canada Health Transfer (“CHT”) and Canada Social Transfer (“CST”).  In 2007-2008 the Federal government provided annual funding through the CHT, CST and various one-time funds in support of health care, post-secondary education, social assistance and services, early childhood development, and early learning and child care to provinces and territories.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, major health and social transfers totaled $755.6 million which accounted for 12.1% of total ordinary revenue.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, major health and social transfers totaled $805.7 million which accounted for 12.3% of total ordinary revenue.  Starting in 2007-2008, CST cash is allocated on an equal per capita basis.  Effective in 2008-2009, total Federal cash funding will increase by $1,050 million in support of child care spaces and post-secondary education with total cash funding growing by 3% annually thereafter.  The CHT will be allocated on an equal per capita cash basis starting in 2014-2015, when current legislation incorporating the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care expires.




27




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Fiscal Stabilization Program.  Under the Fiscal Stabilization Program, the Federal government may make unconditional payments to a province when total revenues of that province, as per the Federal definition, fall short of the previous year’s total due to a downturn in economic activity.




Major Ordinary Account Expenditure   


For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 the Province's ordinary expenditure was $6,806.4 million, 6.0% higher than the ordinary expenditure for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  The net increase of $383.8 million was a result of additional investments made in healthcare, education, children and youth, and seniors along with additional pension expense as a result of weakened market returns. The total budget for ordinary account expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2010 is $7,185.8 million.

 

 

Ordinary Account Expenditure

Year Ending March 31,

Budget

Estimates

 

 

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

 

(In millions of dollars)

Central Government

 

586.1

611.8

704.7

762.6

786.6

Economic Development

 

153.3

158.5

163.0

212.3

178.6

Education

 

  1,212.3

  1,204.2

  1,199.9

1,228.8

1,586.5

Labour and Employment

 

     117.2

     120.2

     245.8

243.2

124.5

Social Development

 

     765.8

     808.3

     894.6

932.7

927.9

Health

 

1,803.0

1,941.6

2,112.5

2,262.7

2,440.5

Protection Services

 

149.3

220.8

170.9

205.7

179.3

Resources

 

     146.6

     179.9

     160.8

150.4

164.7

Service of the Public Debt

 

     591.4

     559.3

     576.8

602.5

623.9

Transportation

 

     164.7

     168.1

     193.5

205.5

173.3

 

 

5,689.7

5,972.7

6,422.5

6,806.4

7,185.8


Economic Development.  Budgeted Economic Development expenditure of $178.6 million represents 2.5% of the total budgeted expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 and is made up of the Departments of:  Business New Brunswick ($56.1 million), the Regional Development Corporation ($73.5 million), Tourism and Parks ($29.0 million), and a portion of General Government ($20.0 million).


Education.  The Province budgeted $1,586.5 million (22.1% of total budgeted expenditure) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 for Education expenditures.  This is made up of estimated operating expenditures of elementary and secondary schools totaling $963.2 million, budgeted operating grants to universities estimated at $258.9 million, estimated grants and costs for the New Brunswick Community College Special Operating Agency of $142.9 million, and General Government expenditures estimated at $221.5 million.


Employment Development and Labour.  The Employment Development and Labour expenditure budget of $124.5 million represents 1.7% of the total budgeted expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 and is made up of a portion of each of the Department of Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour ($123.9 million) and General Government ($0.6 million).


Social Development..  The total budgeted expenditures in this area for the March 31, 2010 fiscal year are $927.9 million (12.9 % of total budgeted expenditures).  Programs included in this function are: an income security program, funding for individuals in Nursing Homes and Special Care Homes and assistance for individuals and families in the acquisition and/or retention of suitable accommodations.




28




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Health.  The Province pays the operating expenditures of approved public hospitals to cover the cost of hospital services supplied by such hospitals.  The Province also operates a comprehensive medical services payment plan (Medicare), which covers the costs of eligible medical services incurred by registered residents.  For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, expenditure on health services is estimated at $2,440.5 million, 34.0% of total budgeted expenditure.


Protection Services.  The Protection Services budgeted expenditure of $179.3 million represents 2.5% of total expenditure budgeted for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 and is made up of the Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs ($40.1 million), the Office of the Attorney General ($16.7 million), the Department of Public Safety ($118.8 million), and a portion of General Government ($3.7 million).


Resources.  Budgeted expenditure for Resources is $164.7 million and represents 2.3% of the total budgeted expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 and is made up of the Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture ($36.8 million), the Department of Environment ($12.3 million), the Department of Fisheries ($4.8 million), the Department of Natural Resources ($85.6 million), the Department of Energy ($3.7 million), the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency of New Brunswick ($14.6 million), and a portion of General Government ($6.9 million).


Transportation.  For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, the Province budgeted $173.3 million for the planning, design and maintenance of highways and the operation of ferry services.  This represents 2.4% of the total budgeted expenditure.


Central Government.  The Central Government expenditure of $786.6 million estimated for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 represents 10.9% of total budgeted expenditure and is made up of expenditures of the Department of Finance ($12.4 million), the Department of Supply and Services ($113.9 million), the Department of Local Government ($116.7 million), General Government ($290.2 million), the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport ($18.8 million),  other central agencies ($41.1 million), and Consolidated Entities (193.5 million).


Service of the Public Debt.  For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 the estimate of $623.9 million for servicing the debt of the Province including interest, foreign exchange, amortization, and other debt management expenditures represents 8.7% of the total budgeted expenditure.




29




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




Net Capital Expenditures


The following table shows the gross capital expenditure for the four fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and the Budget Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.  The table also shows the total amounts of recoveries through cost-sharing agreements with the Federal government.



Net Capital Expenditure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Estimate

 

 

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

EXPENDITURES

 

(In millions of dollars)

Bridges

 

35,428

33,870

25,086

48,317

61,100

Capital Grants to Universities

 

-

-

-

-

30,000

Economic and Regional Development

 

13,753

17,830

15,925

16,294

22,384

Highways

 

188,972

206,842

       697,640

270,610

317,700

Hospitals

 

88,553

92,018

         66,090

42,971

67,100

Other Public Buildings   

 

12,536

         12,214

         19,459

27,659

95,176

Permanent Parks   

 

1,885

           3,406

           1,750

6,100

4,000

Schools

 

 45,853

         56,402

         33,116

41,425

51,500

Vehicles

 

14,680

           7,610

         12,428

17,781

7,000

Water Pollution Control Grants  

 

670

              237 

                 -

-

-

Other

 

           2,982

           2,392

           3,311

           3,825

            5,400

 

 

           405,312

           432,821

           874,805

474,982

661,360

RECOVERIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recoveries from Canada

     Economic and Regional Development

 

 

 

 

22,130

-

     Highways

 

25,458

27,307

151,585

18,868

39,206

     Primary Healthcare Transition

 

           1,190

              677

                  -

3,300

18,000

 

 

26,648

27,984

151,585

44,298

57,206

Other Recoveries   

 

           3,459

              951

           2,221

         3,788

                   -

 

 

         30,107

         28,935

       153,806

48,086

         57,206

 Net Capital Expenditure

 

     375,205

     403,886

      720,999

    426,896

       604,154



Special Operating Agencies


Revenue may be generated by the Special Operating Agencies or from transfers from other budgetary accounts.  Expenditures are incurred by the agencies in delivering the programs they offer and may be of a capital or operating nature.  For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, gross revenue is estimated at $365.6 million from the various agencies and expenditures are estimated at $353.4 million.


Loans and Advances


The Province has followed a policy of promoting economic development through the provision of financial assistance to industry.  Such assistance has been channeled principally through the Department of Business New Brunswick, the Department of Social Development and Provincial Holdings Ltd. and may take the form of repayable loans, guarantees of bank loans and bond issues and equity investments.  Funds required for repayable loans and advances are appropriated annually by the Legislative Assembly and are included in the Province's annual borrowing requirements.  Allowances for amounts for which collection is doubtful are reviewed annually and the net balances of loans and advances less allowances are reflected in the Province's accounts.  


Business New Brunswick.  The Minister of Business New Brunswick is responsible for assistance provided under the Economic Development Act, the Agricultural Development Act and the Fisheries Development Act:




30




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


The Economic Development Act authorizes the Minister to provide financial assistance to aid and encourage the establishment or development of industry on such terms and conditions as are specified by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.  At March 31, 2009, loans and guarantees under the Economic Development Act amounted to approximately $384.3 million.  The allowance for doubtful accounts on these loans and guarantees amounted to $188.2 million.  


The Agricultural Development Act provides aid to farmers and farm-related businesses by way of loans, grants and loan guarantees to increase income and employment in rural areas of the Province.  At March 31, 2009, loans and guarantees outstanding were $7.2 million.  The allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $4.4 million.  


The Fisheries Development Act provides financial assistance mainly by way of direct loans to fishermen to purchase and operate fishing vessels and equipment.  At March 31, 2009, loans and guarantees outstanding amounted to $48.8 million.  The allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $39.6 million.



Provincial Holdings Ltd.  Provincial Holdings Ltd. (“PHL”) is a New Brunswick company that the Province uses to invest in the equity of industrial enterprises that are based in the Province.  PHL is wholly-owned by the Province. As at March 31, 2009, $2.9 million had been advanced to PHL by the Province.  The allowance for doubtful accounts on loans to PHL totaled approximately $2.9 million.


Social Development.  The Department of Social Development carries out the Government's housing policies.  Loans are issued pursuant to the New Brunswick Housing Act.  At March 31, 2009, loans under the New Brunswick Housing Act totaled $35.5 million.  The allowance for doubtful accounts on these loans totaled $4.7 million.  In accordance with the recommendations of the CICA, loans that will be repaid through future Provincial appropriations are expensed at the time of issue.


Post-Secondary Education and Training. The Department of Post-Secondary Education and Training administers the Student Loan Program which provides financial assistance to New Brunswick residents attending post-secondary institutions. At March 31, 2009, the total of Student Loans outstanding was $369.2 million. The allowance for doubtful accounts on these loans totaled $74.1 million.



FINANCING


Financing Requirements


Net loans and advances, sinking fund installments and the difference between the cash contributions made to the pension funds and the amounts expensed according to CICA recommendations as well as several other relatively small items are not included in the budget since they are non-budgetary items.  Borrowing requirements associated with the budget and the aforementioned items for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 were $789.8 million and for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 are estimated at approximately $908.2 million. In addition, $100 million will be required for the student loan program.



Non-Public Borrowing


In recent years, the Province has borrowed from one non-public source, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Fund.


The Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”) is a compulsory national pension plan in which all provinces other than Quebec participate.  When the CPP generates surpluses, the excess funds are invested in capital markets.  In the past, funds were invested in non-marketable securities issued by participating provinces, provincially guaranteed Crown Corporations and the Federal government at a rate based on the Federal government's long-term public market borrowing costs.  Changes to CPP legislation in 1998 allowed for new funds flowing into the CPP to be invested in domestic and foreign equities and for provincial bonds previously issued to the CPP Investment Fund to be rolled over upon maturity on a one-time basis at a cost equal to the respective province’s market rate.  At March 31, 2009, New Brunswick had outstanding borrowings from the CPP Investment Fund of $834.3 million.




31




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description



Public Borrowing


At March 31, 2009, the Province had outstanding borrowings for Provincial purposes from non-CPP sources totaling $9,293.3 million through the issue and sale of debentures and notes, such securities being denominated in Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars.  Not included in this amount is $4,177.1 million borrowed on behalf of New Brunswick Electric Finance Corporation (“NBEFC”).


Trend and Distribution of Borrowing


The trend and distribution of the amounts and sources of the Province's annual debt financing over the past five fiscal years is shown below.


Funded Debt

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

 

(In millions of dollars)

Canada Pension Plan Liabilities

834.3

834.3

834.3

834.3

834.3

Public

 

 

 

 

 

 Provincial Purpose Debt

7,562.7

8,108.1

8,438.5

8,627.4

9,293.3

 Advances to NBEFC (NB Power)

3,316.6

3,261.5

3,709.1

3,602.9

4,177.1

Total

11,713.6

12,203.9

12,981.9

13,064.6

14,304.7


Growth of Funded Debt for Provincial Purposes


The following tables illustrate the rate of change of the Province's outstanding Provincial purpose funded debt and present certain ratios relating that growth to economic indicators.  The following tables do not include $300.0 million borrowed during fiscal year 2005 for New Brunswick Electric Finance Corporation (“NBEFC”), $400.0 million borrowed during fiscal year 2006, $560.0 million borrowed during fiscal year 2007 and $305.0 million borrowed during fiscal year 2008 and $620 million borrowed during fiscal year 2009 on behalf of NBEFC.


The Province is required by legislation to pay annually into a sinking fund the Canadian currency equivalent of not less than 1% of all Provincial purpose funded debt.  The Province’s current policy is to pay 1.5% of Provincial purpose funded debt annually into the sinking fund.  Sinking fund installments are invested in approved securities including direct and guaranteed obligations of the Province.  Interest earned on such investments is added to the sinking fund and is reinvested in approved securities.  At March 31, 2009 the value of the sinking fund applicable to debt issued for Provincial purposes amounted to $4,159.9 million.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, earnings on investments held for the repayment of Provincial purpose debt amounted to $233.4 million.



Outstanding Net Provincial Purpose Funded Debt1

(In millions of dollars unless otherwise indicated)




At March 31,


Canadian Dollars


US

Dollars


Swiss

Francs



Total2

Value of Sinking Funds

Net Provincial Purpose Funded Debt

Change over Previous Year (%)

2005

7,204.6

800

100.0

8,397.0

3,773.8

4,623.2

(3.1)

2006

7,954.6

650

100.0

8,942.4

3,984.0

4,958.4

7.3

2007

7,979.9

1,064.5

0.0

9,272.8

3,968.2

5,304.6

7.0

2008

8,624.6

764.5

0.0

9,461.7

4,161.9

5,299.8

(0.1)

2009

8,922.7

764.5

300.0

10,127.6

4,159.9

5,967.7

12.6

1 Debt securities are reported in the currency in which they were originally issued.  Some issues have been hedged into Canadian dollars.



32




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


2 Debt securities payable in foreign currencies are expressed as the Canadian dollar equivalent at fiscal year-end rates of exchange or, where hedges are in place, at the rates of exchange established by such hedges.



Comparative Debt Statistics1

 

Year ended March 31,

 

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

 

(In millions of dollars unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Gross Domestic Product at market prices

23,672

24,748

25,825

26,947

27,288

Personal Income

19,856

20,534

21,302

22,352

23,226

Ordinary Revenue

5,602

5,921

6,241

6,544

6,655

Net Funded Debt

4,623

4,958

5,305

5,300

5,968

  As % of Gross Domestic Product

19.5

20.0

20.5

19.7

21.9

  As % of Personal Income

23.3

24.1

24.9

23.7

25.7

  As % of Ordinary Revenue

82.5

83.7

85.0

81.0

89.7


1 The figures for Ordinary Revenue and Net Funded Debt are for the fiscal year ended March 31.  The figures for GDP and Personal Income are for the calendar year ended December 31 of the previous year.



Provincial Purpose Funded Debt Maturity Schedule

For Securities Outstanding at March 31, 2009

(In millions of dollars1 )

Year ended

March 31


CAD$


USD


CHF

Total in

CAD$

2010

922.7

-

 

922.7

2011

440.4

-

 

440.4

2012

908.5

         -

 

908.5

2013

803.2

100.0

 

929.2

2014

879.4

100.0

 

1,005.4

2010-2014

3,954.2

200.0

 

4,206.2

2015-2019

1,950.0

414.5

300.0

2,756.1

2020-2024

319.1

150.0

 

465.8

2025-2029

586.3

-

 

586.3

2030-2034

550.0

-

 

550.0

2035-2041

1,563.2

        -

 

1,563.2

Total

8,922.7

764.5

300.0

 10,127.6



1 Debt securities are shown in currency in which they were issued.

2 Debt securities payable in foreign currencies are expressed as the Canadian dollar equivalent  as some of that debt may have been swapped.  


From April 1, 2009 to date the Province has borrowed $1,107.4 million.



Unfunded Debt


Because the Province follows an accrual accounting system, expenditures are allocated to the year in which they were incurred regardless of the date of payment resulting in the establishment of accounts payable and accrued liabilities.  Such unfunded debt is not secured by debt instruments.






33




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




At March 31, 2009, the Province's unfunded debt was as follows:


 

At March 31, 2009

(In millions of dollars)

Bank Advances and Short Term Borrowing

1,025.8

Trust Deposits

78.1

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenditures

2,086.3

Deferred Revenue

   397.6

Total Unfunded Debt

3,587.8


This unfunded debt is partially offset by assets of the Province in the amount of $2,547.1 million, represented by $956.6 million of cash and short term investments, $378.7 million of receivables and advances, $1,066.4 million of taxes receivable, $60.3 million of inventories, and $85.4 million of prepaid and deferred charges.



Contingent Liabilities  


The following table summarizes outstanding contingent liabilities at March 31, 2009 with comparable numbers as at March 31, 2008:


 

At March 31,

 

2008

2009

 

(In millions of dollars)

Bank Loans

 

 

        Under Various Acts

116.7

128.8

        Less: Provision for Possible Losses

37.9

40.6

Total Contingent Liabilities

78.8

88.2



Due to the adoption of the definition of the Reporting Entity recommended by PSAB of the CICA, guarantees associated with the debt of NBEFC and the New Brunswick Municipal Finance Corporation are not included in the previous table.  These guarantees are as follows:


 

At March 31,

 

2008

2009

 

(In millions of dollars)

Bonds, Debentures and Notes

 

 

                New Brunswick Electric Finance Corporation1

125.0

0.0

                New Brunswick Municipal Finance Corporation

569.5

612.9

Loans from Northern Canada Power Commission to NB Power

    1.2

    0.7

 

695.7

613.6

                Less: Sinking Funds

  56.1

    0.0

 

639.6

613.6

               Accrued Interest 1

  14.1

    8.4

Total

653.7

621.0


1 Foreign denominated debt plus accrued interest are expressed as the Canadian dollar equivalent at fiscal year-end rates of exchange.





34




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Debt Record


The Province has always paid promptly when due the full amount of the principal, redemption premium, if any, and interest on every direct obligation issued by it and every indirect obligation on which it has been required to implement its guarantee, all in the lawful currency of the country where payable at the time of payment thereof, subject during wartime to any applicable restrictions of laws and regulations forbidding trading with the enemy.



CONSOLIDATION OF NEW BRUNSWICK PUBLIC SECTOR DEBT


Other than the Province, NBEFC and the New Brunswick Municipal Finance Corporation, municipalities are the only public sector entities with outstanding debt.  Municipalities, with the exception of the City of Saint John, are required to obtain approval from the Provincial government before borrowing money for capital expenditures.  




Consolidated Funded Debt of the New Brunswick Public Sector

 

 

(In millions of dollars)

Province of New Brunswick

 

 

 

Funded Debt

10,127.6

 

Less: Sinking Funds

4,159.9

 

 

5.967.7

Municipalities

 

 

 

Funded Debt

612.9

Total Public Sector Debt

 

6,580.6



Information in the foregoing table relative to the Province is at March 31, 2009 and information relative to municipalities is the amount outstanding at December 31, 2008.  The figures for the Province do not include contingent liabilities of the Province in respect of its guarantees of obligations of NBEFC ($0.7 million).  Also excluded is $3,761.7 million (net of sinking funds of $415.4 million) borrowed by the Province on behalf of NBEFC.  This debt is paid out of the operating revenues of  NBEFC rather than out of Provincial revenues.  From April 1, 2009 to date the Province has borrowed $1,107.4 million.



PUBLIC SECTOR PENSION LIABILITIES


The Public Service Superannuation Act (“PSSA”) establishes a plan under which pensions are paid to most Government employees and to certain employees of boards or institutions affiliated with the Province or their surviving spouses and minor dependents.  Employees contribute approximately 6.0% on average of their salaries into the Public Service Superannuation Fund (“PSSF”).  Approximately 9,069 active Provincial employees are making contributions. The Province and other designated employers are required to contribute into the PSSF an amount that is necessary, in addition to employee contributions, to cover current service cost.  If at any time the PSSF is unable to satisfy all pension liabilities, the deficiency will be met out of the ordinary revenue of the Province.  The Province contributed $43.0 million as the employer portion of current service cost for the year ended March 31, 2009.  The Province will contribute approximately $47.6 million for current service cost for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.  The market value of the PSSA Pension Plan assets was $3,844.8 million as of March 31, 2009.  

 

As a result of the PSSA Pension Plan’s April 1, 2008 actuarial valuation for funding purposes, the Province and three other designated employers will continue making special payments to reduce the $193.7 million unfunded liability.  The Province’s share of the special payments will be $48.0 million while the three designated employers will collectively contribute $13.0 million in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. ($46.0 million for the Province and $12.5 million collectively for the three designated employers in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009).



35




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


 

The Teachers’ Pension Act establishes a plan for the payment of pensions to retired teachers or their surviving spouses and minor dependents.  Teachers covered contribute approximately 7.7% on average of their salaries into the Teachers’ Pension Fund (“TPF”).  Approximately 8,288 active employees are making contributions.  The Province is required to match employee contributions.  If at any time the TPF is unable to satisfy all pension liabilities, the deficiency will be met out of the ordinary revenue of the Province.  The Province contributed $40.0 million as the employer portion of current service cost for the year ended March 31, 2009.  The Province will contribute approximately $42.5 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.  The market value of the TPF was $3,157.8 million as at March 31, 2009.


As the result of the Teachers’ Pension Plan’s April 1, 2006 actuarial valuation for funding purposes, the Province will continue making special payments to reduce the $170.2 million unfunded liability.  The special payments will be $88.6 million in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 ($85.0 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009).

 

As of April 1, 2009, the Public Service Superannuation Plan had an actuarial pension liability of $915.4 million using accounting assumptions while the Teachers’ Pension Plan had an actuarial pension liability of  $986.5 million.

 

Significant actuarial assumptions used for the purposes of financial statements were:




Short Term

Long Term

 

Salary escalation rate

3.00%

     3.00%

Real rate of return

4.25%

4.25%

Inflation

2.50%

2.50%

 

As at March 31, 2009, the financial statements for the Province reported a pension surplus of $131.4 million and $253.5 million for the Public Service Superannuation Plan and the Teachers’ Pension Plan, respectively.  The primary difference between the actuarial pension liabilities and the liabilities per the financial statements is that accounting standards require that experience gains be amortized over the estimated average remaining service life of the employees.

 

The Province sponsors three separate School District pension plans totaling $263.1 million in assets.  The plans have December 31 year-ends.  The total liability was approximately $35.4 million on an actuarial basis with a $14.0 million surplus on an accounting basis.  If at any time these plans are found to be deficient, the Province is required to contribute an amount sufficient to fully fund the obligations.

 

The Province sponsors pension plans for Provincial court judges, Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Ombudsman.  Collectively they have a total actuarial unfunded liability of $62.3 million and an accounting unfunded liability of $58.3 million as at March 31, 2009.

 

The Province also contributes to the Pension Plan for Certain Bargaining Employees of New Brunswick Hospitals, C.U.P.E. Employees of New Brunswick Hospitals and the Pension Plan for Part-time and Seasonal Employees.  The Province contributes a fixed percentage of an employee’s wages and has no further financial obligation.

 



New Brunswick Investment Management Corporation

 

In 1996, legislation was proclaimed establishing the New Brunswick Investment Management Corporation.  The corporation acts as trustee for the PSSF, the TPF and the Provincial Court Judges’ Pension Fund.









36




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


NEW BRUNSWICK POWER HOLDING CORPORATION


NB Power was established as a Crown Corporation of the Province in 1920 by enactment of the Electric Power Act.


On October 1, 2004 the Province of New Brunswick proclaimed the Electricity Act (the “Act”), which resulted in the reorganization of NB Power and the restructuring of the electricity industry in New Brunswick. The NB Power Group (the “Group”) was continued as a holding company and four operating companies:


New Brunswick Power Holding Corporation (Holdco), which provides strategic direction, governance and support to the subsidiaries for communications, finance, human resources, legal, and governance. It also provides shared services on a cost-recovery basis;


New Brunswick Power Generation Corporation (Genco)1, which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the oil, hydro, coal, and diesel-powered generating stations;


New Brunswick Power Nuclear Corporation (Nuclearco), which is responsible for the operation of Point Lepreau Generating Station;


New Brunswick Power Transmission Corporation (Transco), which is responsible for operating and maintaining the transmission system and


New Brunswick Power Distribution and Customer Service Corporation (Disco), which is responsible for operating and maintaining the distribution system. Disco is designated as the standard service supplier for the Province and is obligated to provide standard services to residential, commercial, wholesale, and industrial customers located throughout the Province.


The Group provides New Brunswickers with electricity at the lowest possible cost consistent with safety, reliability and the environment. The electricity is generated at 16 facilities and delivered via power lines, substations and terminals to more than 380,000 direct and indirect customers within New Brunswick. In addition, the Group exports electricity to New England, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.


At March 31, 2009, the Group operated seven hydro-electric plants with a combined net generating capacity of 895 megawatts, one CANDU nuclear plant at Point Lepreau with a net generating capacity of 635 megawatts, five thermal plants with a combined net generating capacity of 1,903 megawatts, and three combustion turbine plants with a combined net generating capacity of 526 megawatts.  The Group has a total net generating capacity of 3,959 megawatts and its gross generation constitutes 90% of the gross generating capacity in the Province2.  Gross investment in all plants at March 31, 2009 was $4,4113 million.


At March 31, 2009, the Group maintained 6,829 kilometers of transmission lines and 20,397 kilometers of distribution lines representing a gross investment of $3543 million and $8033 million, respectively.  The Group also had a gross investment of $4893 million in terminals and substations.


Transco has extensive interconnection facilities to take advantage of its favourable geographic position between the two very large electric power systems in Québec and New England and the other two Maritime Provinces.  At March 31, 2009 interconnection capacity was as follows:



1 Genco wholly owns two subsidiaries

• New Brunswick Power Coleson Cove Corporation (Colesonco), which owns and operates Coleson Cove  Generating Station, with a generating capacity of 978 MW included in Genco’s total capacity

• NB Coal Limited (NB Coal), which mines local coal to supply Grand Lake Generating Station.

2 Gross generating capacity for the Province is based on 2006 Statistics Canada figures.

3 Excluding construction in progress








37




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Interconnection Capacity


              

Utility System

Megawatts (MW)

 

 


Import

 

Export

 

 

 

 

 

Quebec

 

 1,019

 

   770

New England

 

716

 

1,120

Nova Scotia

 

350

 

   300

Prince Edward Island

 

124

 

   222

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

2,209

 

2,412


Genco exports energy to Northern Maine and New England pursuant to export permits from the National Energy Board expiring in the 2016-2017 period.



Significant Events


The Group works continuously to ensure a long-term reliable electricity supply at the lowest possible cost, consistent with safety and the environment. Long-term business development includes several major projects.



Memorandum of Understanding


On October 29, 2009 the Premiers of New Brunswick and Quebec signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to sell most of the assets of NB Power to Hydro-Quebec.  In return Hydro –Quebec will pay sufficient funds to retire the estimated $4.75 billion in debt accumulated related to NB Power and agree to offer lower electricity rates to all New Brunswickers with an estimated value of $5 billion.


Under the agreement NB Power would continue as a separate, New Brunswick entity, headquartered in Fredericton, and to use the existing name and corporate identity.


The nuclear generating facility at Point Lepreau (after the completion of the plant’s refurbishment), the hydro facilities, the peaking power plants and the transmission and distribution assets of NB Power are part of the proposed transaction.  Hydro-Quebec would not assume any liabilities with respect to the Point Lepreau refurbishment project.


Thermal generation facilities at Coleson Cove and Belledune would continue to be owned and operated by the Province of New Brunswick, and would supply electricity to Hydro-Quebec under the terms of tolling agreements.


The MOU sets a closing date for substantially all assets involved on or about March 31, 2010.  The closing date for Point Lepreau nuclear generating facility would follow on or about January 1, 2011, after the completion of the refurbishment project now underway.  In addition, a package of regulatory reforms, aimed at harmonizing New Brunswick’s regulatory system with that of Quebec, will be presented to the New Brunswick Legislature in the upcoming session.



Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Refurbishment Project


In July 2005 the Province of New Brunswick announced its decision to support the Board’s recommendation to refurbish Point Lepreau Generating Station in partnership with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (“AECL”). The refurbishment will extend the Station’s life to 2034, providing the Group with electricity from a fuel source that is not subject to the volatility of heavy fuel-oil pricing. The refurbished Station will also continue to provide an environmental benefit by generating electricity that avoids significant carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.


Total project spending to March 31, 2009 was $806 million. During the year the following milestones were met:


a)

station shutdown and defueling the reactor core by removing all 4,560 fuel bundles from the 380 channels



38




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


b)

turned over the fueling machine vaults, or retube work areas to AECL

c)

completed feeder tube removal, end fitting removal, and pressure tube removal (this was completed in April 2009)


At March 31, 2009 the project was estimated to be five months behind schedule as AECL had experienced difficulties with the tooling which led to pressures on the overall timetable for project completion. Station restart is expected by the winter of 2011.



Financial Implications of Delay


Refurbishment of the Point Lepreau Generating Station is largely a turnkey project and, as such, construction cost overruns are the responsibility of the contractor – AECL. There are, however, some financial implications for NB Power, as project owner.


The cash flow implications are as follows:

a)

Nuclearco will spend approximately $4 million per month in increased project owner costs for facilities, contracted staff, insurance and other costs to support the project

b)

Disco will spend approximately $16 million per month in increased replacement power costs while the plant is out of service

c)

accordingly, each month’s delay in the project increases the cash cost of the project by approximately $20 million.

These will be accounted for as follows:

a)

The capital cost of the project will increase by approximately $10 million per month of project delay. This consists of

o

$4 million in increased project owner costs for facilities, contracted staff, insurance and other costs to support the project

o

$6 million of costs reallocated from operations to the project

b)

 The deferral of Nuclearco period and replacement power costs will increase by approximately $24 million per month (including incremental cash flows identified above) this consists of

o

$16 million in increased replacement power costs while the plant is out of service

o

$8 million in additional Nuclearco period costs reallocated from operations to the deferral


These costs will be amortized and charged to customers over the extended life of the station. (Some portion of these costs may potentially be offset by liquidated damages under the contract with AECL.)



Turbine Upgrade


In October 2008, three new low pressure turbine rotors arrived at the Port of Saint John. While loading onto a barge in preparation for transport to Point Lepreau Generating Station, an incident occurred when two turbine rotors toppled into the water. Fortunately, there were no workers injured. The two recovered turbine rotors were thoroughly examined and tested at the Siemens factory in the United Kingdom. The evaluations were reviewed and accepted by NB Power and an independent consultant. As a result, the decision to move forward with the installation of the recovered turbine rotors was made. They were returned to the Station in summer 2009, with no impact on the overall project schedule.



Grand Falls Generating Station Flood


During the year, NB Power incurred flood damages to the Grand Falls Generating Station and related transmission assets.  In bringing these assets back to service NB Power incurred total costs of $26 million of which a portion was recovered through insurance proceeds.


The following is a breakdown of the costs:

a)

$9 million related to repairs and maintenance included in OM&A



39




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


b)

$17 million related to replacement and betterment included in capital


NB Power has claimed and received $11 million which represents the costs covered by the insurance policy during 2008-2009 and has claimed and will receive $2.5 million from the insurance company in 2009-2010.


If there had not had been an outage at Grand Falls Generating Station, hydro generation would have been 25 per cent above the long term average rather than 17 percent.



Thermal Generating Station Forced Outages


During the year there were unplanned generation outages as follows:

a)

Belledune Generating Station experienced

1)

an outage 18 days longer than scheduled due to a cracked hot reheat pipe bend.

2)

a five day forced outage in September due to an economizer tube leak

3)

a three day outage in November due to a suspected boiler leak and to repair a leak on a steam line drain

4)

a two day outage in February to repair a boiler water wall leak.  

b)

Dalhousie Generating Station Unit 2 experienced an 11 day forced outage in July due to a boiler tube leak and was offline for 11 days in March to carry out boiler duct work and fan repairs. Unit 1 was offline for nine days in the fourth quarter (five days in February to repair boiler tube leaks and four days in March to repair duct work).  

c)

Coleson Cove Generating Station experienced a five day extension to a planned outage due to a waterwall leak and a boiler tube leak.


Despite these challenges thermal equivalent availability for the year was 87 per cent.



US Markets


In the fall of 2008, NB Power received approvals from a number of US agencies that allow it to transact business in the US without the use of a third party.  Since December 2008, NB Power has been buying and selling energy with the Independent System Operator – New England without using an intermediary.  The benefits realized in the first two months have paid for all costs incurred to obtain these approvals. NB Power expects future benefits to be considerable, particularly after Point Lepreau Generating Station returns to service.  



Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (“PDVSA”) Lawsuit Settlement


Throughout the year shipments of fuel were received related to the lawsuit settlement with PDVSA.



Industrial Customers


NB Power’s load decreased during the year due to large industrial shut-downs. NB Power continues to work with industrial customers who are experiencing difficulty in order to collect amounts owing to NB Power.  The impact on bad debt expense from large industrial customers is estimated to be $2 million.  



Rates


On April 1, 2008, the Group implemented a three per cent average rate increase across all customer groups, which resulted in a $37 million increase in revenue. During the year  a rate review was conducted by the Energy and Utilities Board (EUB). The EUB released a report to the Minister of Energy, which caused no changes in the rate increase.


Rate increases in the past five fiscal years are shown in the following table:








40




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Average Rate Increases


 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

2005*

2006

2007

2008

2009

Customer Classification

 

(%)

Residential

 

6.0

3.0

8.0

5.9

3.0

General service I

 

6.0

3.0

3.8

4.0

3.0

General service II

 

6.0

3.0

5.8

5.9

3.0

Small Industrial

 

4.5

3.0

3.5

5.8

3.0

Large Industrial

 

4.5

3.0

8.0

6.9

3.0

Wholesale

 

5.6

3.0

5.9

5.9

3.0

Street lights

 

6.0

3.0

0.0

0.0

3.0


*Includes increases on April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2005



Overview of Financial Performance


The financial information which follows is on a combined basis for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 for the Group.


During 2008-2009 the Group generated net earnings of $70 million compared to $89 million in 2007-2008.


The Group generated earnings before special payments in lieu of income taxes of $104 million compared to $138 million in 2007-2008.  The Group achieved an operating margin of 15 per cent compared to 17 per cent in 2007-2008.  A three per cent rate increase was implemented on April 1, 2008, resulting in an additional $37 million in revenue.  The Group achieved thermal generating station equivalent availability of 87 percent compared to 81 per cent in 2007-2008 despite challenges of several forced outages at thermal generating stations.  The Group incurred 17 per cent above long-term average hydro generation compared to four per cent in 2007-2008.  $265 million was invested on the Point Lepreau Generating Station refurbishment project and deferring $234 million of the costs which will be amortized over the life of the refurbished generating station. (in accordance with enacted legislation).  The Group experienced reduced load due to large industrial closures. The Grand Falls Generating Station suffered damages and related transmission assets as a result of a flood in spring 2008.  The Group managed financial risk and market volatility through its hedging program and received deliveries of fuel related to the PDVSA lawsuit settlement.



A decrease in gross margin of $55 million was a significant factor contributing to the change in year-over-year earnings before special payment in lieu of income taxes. The main factors that contributed to the decrease in gross margin were:

a)

lower in-province revenue due to lower load as a result of closure of major industrial customers, and warmer weather

b)

higher prices of generation and purchased power

c)

lower out-of-province revenue due to lower volumes



Offset by:

d)

higher hydro flows in 2008-2009 at 117 per cent of the long-term average compared to 104 per cent of the long-term average in 2007/08

e)

higher in-province rates due to the implementation of an approved 3.0 per cent average rate and higher average export prices


Other significant factors that contributed to the decrease in year-over-year earnings before special payments in lieu of taxes were:

a)

2007-2008 revenue included a lawsuit settlement with PDVSA of $29 million

b)

increased operations maintenance and administration expense in 2008-2009 (see operating results – expense section for more detail)


These factors were partially offset by lower amortization expense and lower finance charges.




41




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Cash flow from operations in 2008-2009 decreased by $43 million to $273 million. This resulted primarily from the decrease in net earnings and a decrease in amortization.


The Group’s debt increased by $479 million in 2008-2009. The increase in debt was due to financing requirements for the Point Lepreau Refurbishment project and related deferral.


Operating Results

 

Revenues


Total revenues were $1,598 million in 2008-2009, a $21 million or one per cent decrease compared to 2007-2008.


In-province sales of power totaled $1,219 million in 2008-2009, representing an $18 million or one per cent decrease from 2007-2008. The main contributors to the year-over-year variance were:

(a) $43 million decrease due to lower load mainly due to industrial shutdowns.

(b) $30 million decrease due to lower interruptible sales because of volume and price.  The volume was lower mainly because two customers switched a portion of their interruptible load to firm supply on April 1, 2008.  The price was lower due to lower supply cost.


The decrease was partially offset by $49 million increase due to a three per cent average rate increase implemented on April 1, 2008, and higher industrial unit rates


In 2008-2009, out-of-province sales of power were a $217 million, a increase of $21 million or 11 per cent compared to 2007/08. The main contributors to the year-over-year variance were a $40 million increase because of the higher average prices for export energy due to market conditions offset by $17 million decreased volumes due to reduction of lower cost energy available for export mainly due to Lepreau refurbishment project.


Miscellaneous revenue was $73 million in 2008-2009, a decrease of $26 million compared to 2007/08. This decrease was mainly due to $29 million of the PDVSA lawsuit settlement included in 2007/08 which was applied to a prior year write-off related to the Coleson Cove Generating Station fuel delivery system.

   

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, energy was supplied as follows:


 

Composition of Energy Supply

 

  Total In-Province
Hydro 19.2% 22.4%
Thermal 48.8     47.7    
Nuclear 0.0     0.0    
Purchases 32.0     29.9    
 
Total 100.0% 100.0%


Fuel and Purchased Power


The cost of fuel and purchased power was $869 million in 2008-2009, an increase of $284 million or 49 per cent from 2007-2008. The year-over-year increase in fuel and purchased power costs was mainly attributable to:


(a) $254 million increase in generation and purchased power mix variances due to, no nuclear generation due to Point Lepreau Refurbishment outage and forced outages at Belledune, Dalhousie, and Coleson Cove Generating Stations

(b) $151million increase related to higher overall fuel and purchased power prices,


These increases were partially offset by a $28 million increased hydro flows to 117 per cent of the long-term average    in 2008-2009 compared to 104 per cent in 2007-2008, as well as $109 million from reduced load requirements due to industrial shut-downs and out-of-province sales.


Operations, Maintenance and Administration



42




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description



Operations, maintenance and administration costs were $415 million in 2008-2009, an $18 million or five per cent increase compared to 2007-2008. The significant changes were due to:


(a)  $12 million increased labor as a result of annual scale escalations,

(b)  $8 million higher pension interest and amortization expense due to lower expected return on plan assets in 2007-2008   

(c)  $9 million increase in OM&A projects scheduled during the Point Lepreau Generating Station refurbishment outage.  The reactor shut-down provided an opportunity to perform OM&A work in areas that are inaccessible when the reactor is running.


 The increase was partially offset by a $16 million decrease in resources that would normally perform OM&A work (last year preparing the thermal and nuclear stations for the refurbishment outage) were reallocated to the Point Lepreau Refurbishment project (capital).



Amortization and Decommissioning


Amortization and decommissioning costs were $186 million in 2008-2009, a $30 million decrease mainly due to:


(a)

a reduction in the net book value of the Coleson Cove Generating Station resulting from the lawsuit settlement with PDVSA. The reduced amortization associated with the lawsuit settlement with PDVSA was offset through the regulatory deferral with no impact on net earnings,

(b)

reduced Nuclearco amortization resulting from the service life completion (fully amortized) of major components being refurbished at the Point Lepreau Generating Station, offset by

(c)   increased amortization as a result of asset life changes resulting from an amortization study.



Finance Charges


Finance charges were $140 million in 2008-2009, a $35 million or 20 per cent decrease from 2007-2008.   This was mainly due to:

(a)

$12 million improved rates on debt refinancing and reduced debt levels,

(b)

$17 million decrease from foreign exchange gains on exposure not subject to forward purchasing primarily related to short-term debt and payable transactions during a period of high variability.


Special Payments in Lieu of Income Taxes


The Group made special payments in lieu of income taxes to NBEFC. These payments consist of an income tax component based on accounting net earnings multiplied by a rate of 32.38 per cent.  Special payments in lieu of income taxes were $34 million in 2008-2009, a $15 million decrease compared to 2007-2008. This decrease was due to lower earnings in 2008/09.



Liquidity and Capital Resources


Capital expenditures, net of proceeds on disposal and customer contributions, were $438 million in 2008-2009. This $29 million or seven per cent increase compared to 2007-2008 resulted primarily from:


(a)

a $70 million increase in the Point Lepreau Generating Station refurbishment project spending

(b)

a $6 million increase spending on the turbine upgrade project at Point Lepreau Generating Station


These items were partially offset by a $37 million decrease due to the 2007-2008 purchase of Nepisiquit Hydro Generating Station and a $12 million decrease from the completion of the International Power Line project.







Cash Flow from Operations



43




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description



Cash flow from operations in 2008-2009 increased by $43 million to $273 million. This resulted from a decrease in net earnings and a decrease in amortization.


Free Cash Inflow (Outflow)


 Free cash outflow was $460 million in 2008-2009, an increase of $211 million compared to 2007-2008.  The primary reasons for the increase were:

(a)   increased capital spending due to the Point Lepreau Generating Station refurbishment project, and the Point Lepreau Generating Station turbine upgrade project

(b)   increase in regulatory deferrals excluding mark-to-market adjustments

(c)   decreased cash flow from operations due to decreased earnings and amortization


The increase was offset by lower nuclear decommissioning and used fuel management funds installment and earnings, lower recovery of capital related to PDVSA fuel shipments received and an increase in working capital


Total Debt


The Group’s debt increased by $479 million in 2008-2009. The increase in debt was due to financing requirements for the Point Lepreau Refurbishment project and related deferral.


The Group’s debt levels are increasing due to the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau Generating Station.  The level of short-term borrowings fluctuates depending on the timing of debt maturities and capital investment requirements. Since restructuring on October 1, 2004 the Group issues long- and short-term notes to NBEFC. Under the authority of the Act, the Province borrows in its own name on behalf of NBEFC.




Statistical Information


The following tables set forth certain statistical information for the five fiscal years ended March 31, 2009.




Peak Demand and Capacity (MW)

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System net generating capacity

3,948

 

3,297

 

3,297

 

3,297

 

3,194

Firm capacity purchases

 

402

 

402

 

402

 

402

 

402

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total available resources

 

4,350

 

3,699

 

3,699

 

3,699

 

3,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In-province system net peak demand

3,146

 

2,799

 

3,160

 

2,992

 

3,167

Firm exports

 

 

399

 

355

 

356

 

447

 

419

Operating reserve

 

 

662

 

561

 

512

 

508

 

178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total requirement

 

 

4,207

 

3,715

 

4,028

 

3,947

 

3,764





44




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Selected Output and Sales Data

 

 

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

System Power Generated and Purchased (in millions of kilowatt-hours)




 

 

 

Generated

 18,514

 18,507

 15,946

 14,437

 11,264

 

Purchased

   1,848

   1,898

   3,092

   3,890

   5,295

 

 

 20,362

 20,405

 19,038

 18,327

 16,559

Station service and losses (transformer and transmission)

 

   1,608

  1,465

   1,531

   1,420

   1,292

Total Energy Available

 

 18,754

18,940

17,507

16,907

15,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Sales (in millions of kilowatt-hours)

 

 

 

 

 

 

In-province

 14,606

 13,887

 14,342

 14,250

 13,052

 

Out-of-province

 3,813

 4,682

 2,815

 2,327

 1,891

Total Electric Sales

 

 18,419

18,569

17,157

16,577

14,943

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue from Sale of Power (in millions of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

In-province

 1,049

 1,056

 1,146

 1,237

 1,219

 

Out-of-province

    251

379

215

196

217

Total revenue from sale of power

 1,300

1,435

1,361

1,433

1,436

Miscellaneous revenue and transmission

     103

   150

   151

   279

   17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenue

1,403

1,585

1,512

1,712

1,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Customers (direct and indirect)

366,930

370,660

373,207

376,964

380,682

Average Revenue per kilowatt-hour

 

 

 

 

 

 

In-province

7.18¢

7.60¢

7.99¢

8.68¢

9.34¢

 

Out-of-province

6.58¢

8.09¢

7.64¢

8.42¢

11.48¢


The following summary financial information was extracted from the audited combined financial statements of NB Power Holding Corporation.


Summary Combined Balance Sheet


As At March 31,
(In millions of dollars)
 

2008

2009

 
Assets    
        Current assets 622 736
        Fixed assets 3,310 3,585
        Long-Term assets 646 758
        Deferred charge 96 111
Total Assets 4,674 5,190
Liabilities and Deficits
        Current liabilities 928 1,377
        Long-term debt 2,879 3,051
        Deferred liabilities 516 457
        Shareholder's equity 351 305
Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity 4,674 5,190





45




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description





Summary Combined Statement of Earnings


 

 

        Year ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20051

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

 

(In millions of dollars)

Revenues

 

1,403

 

 1,585

 

 1,512

 

1,712

 

 1,453

-

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel and purchased power

 

 497

 

 512

 

 560

 

585

 

 869

Transmission  2                                                                

Operations, maintenance and

  administration

Amortization & decommissioning

Taxes

Regulatory deferrals

                

 46

 

 

 384

 219

 41

 --

 

 86

 

 

 373

 217

 47

 --                  

 

 85

 

 

389

 220

 49

 --                  

 

85

 

 

397

216

43

73 

 82

 

 

415

186

 43

  (386)                  

Finance charges

 

 202

 

 199

 

 180

 

175

 

 140

 

 

1,389

 

 1,434

 

 1,483

 

1,574

 

 1,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before special payments

   in lieu of income taxes

Special payments in lieu of income taxes

 

 

14

5

 

 

 

151

55

 

 

 

29

8

 

 

 

138

49

 

 

104

34

Net Earnings (Loss) for the Year

 

 9

 

 96

 

 21

 

89

 

70


1 2005 data represents summary combined figures based on the results of the Group for fiscal 2004-2005.  Prior years’ data is consolidated from the former integrated structure.


2 The EUB also regulates the Open Access Transmission Tariff (“OATT”) that establishes non-discriminatory access to the transmission system for generators and customers inside and outside the Province and generates revenues for Transco to operate and maintain the transmission system.  On October 1, 2004, the System Operator assumed responsibility for the design and administration of the OATT.  As such, Transco bills the System Operator for the majority of its revenue requirement which the System Operator collects through the OATT from the various load and load-serving customers including Genco, Nuclearco and Disco.



46




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description

 


Summary Combined Statement of Cash Flow

 

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

20051

2006

2007

2008

2009

 

 (In millions of dollars)

Net Inflow (Outflow) of Cash Related to the Following Activities:






    Net income (loss)

 9

96

21

89

70

    Non-cash items

236

223

217

227

203

    Net change in non-cash working capital balances

(51)

(11)

13

(80)

(60)

    Nuclear decommissioning and used fuel 

         management funds installments and earnings2

(13)

(40)

(13)

(141)

(35)

Other

    (1)

    (5)

  (13)

  (21)

  (257)

 






Cash from operating activities

180

263

225

74

(79)

Cash from financing activities

158

(37)

71

219

466

Cash from investing activities

 (341)

 (209)

 (287)

 (323)

 (381)


Net Cash Inflow (Outflow)


(3)


17


9


(30)


6

Cash and short-term investments






Beginning of Year

     7

     4

   21

   30

  0


End of year


     4


   21


   30


   0


   6

 

1   The 2005 data represents summary combined figures based on the results of the Group for fiscal 2004-2005.  Prior years’ data is consolidated from the former integrated structure.


2  The Group established a decommissioning segregated fund and a used nuclear fuel segregated fund to meet the license conditions of the Station as set by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).  The Group has also established a trust fund pursuant to the Federal Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (“NFWA”).  In accordance with the NFWA, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (“NWMO”) was formed to prepare and review alternatives and provide recommendations for long-term management of nuclear waste.   In June 2007, the Government of Canada announced its decision to accept the long-term disposal plan proposed by the NWMO.  The funding requirement, based on the accepted proposal, has not been finalized at this time.  Until then, the NFWA requires the Group to contribute $4 million annually.  The funds contained in the established funds to meet the license conditions of the Point Lepreau Generating Station described above will also be used to meet these requirements.  




47




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


Segmented Information


The Group is organized and operates under five reportable business segments. On October 1, 2004, the restructuring of NB Power resulted in each of the business segments becoming incorporated companies.



Year Ended March 31, 2009


(In millions of dollars)


 



Genco

Nuclearco

Transco

Disco

Holdco

Eliminations

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenue

1,272

187

111

1,264

79

(1,460)

1,453

Total Expenses

 1,240

  187

   95

1,242

    79

(1,460)

1,383

Net Income (Loss) for Year

     32

       -

   16

     22

       -

         -

     70

Total Assets

2,415

1,694

405

1,377

467

(1,168)

5,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Debt

1,465

1,082

215

747

0

-

3,509

Capital Expenditures

32

332

24

49

1

-

438





48




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


NEW BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC FINANCE CORPORATION




NBEFC was established under the Act that came into force on October 1, 2004.


NBEFC has as its mandate to manage the assets, liabilities, rights, and obligations that NBEFC received as part of the restructuring of Holdco and to dispose or otherwise deal with them as it sees fit.


As a result of the restructuring, the former NB Power’s debt, accrued interest and Sinking Funds were transferred to NBEFC.  A net total of $3.5 billion was transferred to NBEFC that consisted of the following:



 

 

(In millions of dollars)

 

Long-term debt

3,537

 

Short-term debt

378

 

Accrued interest

83

 

Sinking funds

(418)

 

 

3,580


In exchange, NBEFC received promissory notes from each Holdco subsidiary, including accrued interest, and a $140-million equity share in Transco. In addition, NBEFC assumed the deferred debt charges of $50 million and relieved the newly formed Holdco and its subsidiaries of NB Power’s  $187 million deficit.  


NBEFC holds Class “B” non-voting share of nominal value in Holdco and its subsidiaries as well as in New Brunswick Power Coleson Cove Corporation.  NBEFC holds an additional thousand Class “B” non-voting common shares in Transco assigned a value of $140 million.


NBEFC receives debt service payments, dividends and payments in lieu of taxes from the newly formed companies.


As of March 31, 2009, NBEFC had net total debt of $4.2 billion.





49




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description





FUNDED DEBT OUTSTANDING AT MARCH 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Date of Maturity

Interest Rate

%

Sinking Fund

Installment Rate

%


Series


Currency

Amount


Outstanding

Amount


Date Issued


Note

Repayable in United States Dollars:

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Feb. 2013

7.625

1 & 1.5

EO

200,000.0

252,040.0

Feb. 1993

2

15 Aug. 2013

6.75

1 & 1.5

ET

200,000.0

252,040.0

Sept. 1993

2

21 Feb. 2017

5.2

1 & 1.5

GR

500,000.0

584,750.0

Feb. 2007

2,17

15 May 2020

9.75

1 & 1.5

DU

200,000.0

237,950.0

May 1990

2,18

1 May 2022

8.75

1 & 1.5

EI

200,000.0

223,820.0

May 1992

1,19

 

 

 

 

1,300,000.0

1,550,600.0

 

 

Repayable in Swiss Francs

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Mar. 2016

2.875

1.5

GY

300,000.0

321,390.7

Mar 2009

2,22


Repayable in Canadian Dollars:

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Apr. 2009-1 Mar. 2010

9.15-10.31

1

CP

 

64,307.0

1989-1990

1

1 May 2009

Floating

1.5

GM

 

200,000.0

April 2005

2,12

2 June 2009

5.25

1.5

FU

 

550,000.0

May, Sept 1999

2,5

22 June 2009

10.25

1.5

DR

 

88,019.0

June 1989

2,3

23 Nov. 2009

10

1 & 1.5

DT

 

120,359.0

Nov. 1989

2,3

2 Dec. 2009

4.5

1 & 1.5

GK

 

300,000.0

June 2004

2

2 Apr. 2010- 1 Mar. 2011

10.36-11.04

1.5

CP

 

40,360.0

1990-1991

1

15 June 2010

6.375

1 & 1.5

FW

 

600,000.0

June, Dec. 2000

2,7

10 Apr. 2010- 10 July 2011

9.81-10.04

1.5

CP

 

58,458.0

1991

1

12 July 2011

5.8

1 & 1.5

FX

 

600,000.0

Feb., June 2001

2,8

31 Oct 2011

10.125

1 & 1.5

ED

 

200,000.0

Oct. 1991

2

1 Dec. 2011

5.85

1 & 1.5

FY

 

600,000.0

Oct 01, Feb. 02

2,9

11 May 2012- 10 July 2012

9.17-9.45

1.5

CP

 

41,673.0

1992

1

9 May 2012

4.53

1.5

CP

 

86,575.0

2006-07  2007-08

16

6 Dec. 2012

5.875

1 & 1.5

FZ

 

600,000.0

June, Aug. 2002

2,10

18 Jan. 2013

9.25

1 & 1.5

EN

 

200,000.0

Jan. 1993

2

25 Feb. 2013

5.5

1 & 1.5

GC

 

200,000.0

Feb. 2003

2

1 June 2013

3.35

1 & 1.5

GX

 

620,000.0

Dec 08, Jan 09

2,25

28 June 2013

8.5

1 & 1.5

ER

 

200,000.0

June 1993

2

13 Jan. 2014

7.75

1.5

EW

 

200,000.0

Jan. 1994

2

10 Mar. 2014

4.81

1.5

CP

 

79,432.0

2007-08 2008-09

1

4 Feb. 2015

4.5

1 & 1.5

GL

 

550,000.0

Feb. Apr. 2005

2,13

12 May 2015

8.75

1 & 1.5

FF

 

200,000.0

May 1995

2

3 Dec. 2015

4.3

1 & 1.5

GN

 

500,000.0

June 05, Jan 06

2,14

21 July 2016

4.7

1.5

GQ

 

300,000.0

July 2006

2

27 June 2017

6.75

1.5

FO

 

250,000.0

June 1997

2

27 Dec. 2017

6

1.5

FP

 

250,000.0

Nov. 1997

2

14 Mar. 2018

4.361

1

GU

 

120,000.0

March 2008

2

26 Mar. 2018

4.45

1 & 1.5

GV

 

600,000.0

May, Nov 2008

2,24

2 Apr. 2019-3 Mar. 2020

5.64-6.82

1.5

CP

 

46,892.0

1999-2000

1

1 Apr. 2020-2 Mar. 2021

6.25-6.76

1.5

CP

 

53,014.0

2000-2001

1

1 Apr. 2021-1 Mar. 2022

6.26-6.70

1.5

CP

 

74,784.4

2001-2002

1

1 Apr. 2022-1 Mar. 2023

5.79-6.51

1.5

CP

 

73,185.0

2002-2003

1

5 Apr. 2023-1 Mar. 2024

5.37-6.06

1.5

CP

 

71,205.0

2003-2004

1

31 Mar. 2024

4.67

1

GP

 

100,000.0

Mar. 2006

2

10 Apr. 2025-May 2025

4.97-5.10

1.5

CP

 

19,188.0

2005

1

2 Apr. 2024-10 Jan 2025

5.16-5.83

1.5

CP

 

67,087.0

2004-2005

1

27 Dec. 2028

5.65

1.5

FT

 

500,000.0

July 98, Feb. 99

2,4

15 Dec. 2029

5.75-6.29

1

FV

 

50,000.0

Dec. 1999

6

27 Jan. 2034

5.5

1.5

GJ

 

550,000.0

Jan., Nov. 2004

2,11

19 Mar. 2034

5.15

1

GZ

 

50,000.0

Mar 2009

2

26 Sept. 2034

5

1

GW

 

150,000.0

Sept 2008

2

10 July 2035

4.73

1.5

CP

 

50,302.0

2005, 2006-2007

17

26 Sep. 2035

4.65

1 & 1.5

GO

 

650,000.0

Sept 05, Jan 07

2,16

26 Mar 2037

4.55

1 & 1.5

GS

 

900,000.0

Mar. June Sep 07

2,20,21

26 Mar 2037

4.63

1.5

CP

 

7,856.0

Apr. 2007

15

26 Sept. 2039

4.8

1 & 1.5

GT

 

600,000.0

Nov 07, May 08

2, 23

$ 12,432,696.4

Total Funded Debt Outstanding (CDN)

 

 

 

 

$ 14,304,687.1

 

 



50




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




Notes to Funded Debt Outstanding


(1) Issued to Canada Pension Plan Investment Fund, not negotiable, transferable or assignable.  Twenty year bonds redeemable in whole, or in part, at 100% on not less than thirty days notice.


(2) Non-callable


(3) Pursuant to Section 24 of the Provincial Loans, Act, the Minister of Finance authorized the cancellation of a portion of this issue held as an investment in the Sinking Fund effective 1 April 1991.  The Sinking Fund installment is the same as that made prior to the cancellation.


(4) In February 1999, the Province issued and additional $250,000.0 of its series FT debentures.


(5) In September 1999, the Province issued an additional $250,000.0 of its series FU debentures.


(6) Puttable at par on 15 December 2007 at the option of the note holder with 10 calendar days notice.  The interest rate is 5.75% to 15 December 2007.  After this date, until maturity, the interest rate is 6.29%.


(7) In December 2000, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its series FW debentures.


(8) In June 2001, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its series FX debentures.


 (9) In February 2002, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its series FY debentures.


(10) In August 2002, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its series FZ debentures.


(11) In November 2004, the Province issued an additional $250,000.0 of its series GJ debentures.


(12) Canadian $200,000.0 represents the amount payable under an interest rate swap agreement with a counterparty.  Interest is payable in monthly Canadian dollars at a floating rate.


(13) In April 2005, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 in its Series GL debentures.


 (14) In January 2006, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its series GN debentures.


(15) Issued to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, non negotiable or transferable.  Assignable only to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the CPP Investment Board.  Thirty year bonds redeemable in whole or in part prior to maturity on not less than six days notice.


(16) In January 2007, the Province issued an additional $400,000.0 of  its Series GO debentures.


(17) Canadian $584,750.0 represents the amount payable under an interest rate and currency swap agreement with a counterparty for the repayment at maturity of the Province’s debt of Series GR 5.20% $500,000.0 US due 21 February 2017.  Interest is payable semi-annually in Canadian dollars at a fixed rate.


(18) Canadian $48,920.0 represents the amount payable under an interest rate and currency swap agreement with a counterparty for the repayment of the Province’s debt of U.S. $50 million of  Series DU due 15 May 2020.  Interest is payable semi-annually in Canadian dollars at a fixed rate.


(19) Canadian $97,800.0 represents the amount payable under an interest rate and currency swap agreement with a counterparty for the repayment of the Province’s debt of U.S. $100 million of  Series EI due 1 May 2022.  Interest is payable semi-annually in Canadian dollars at a fixed rate.


(20) In June 2007, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its Series GS debentures.


(21) In September 2007, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its Series GS debentures.




51




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description


(22) Canadian $321,390.7 represents the amount payable under an interest rate and currency swap agreement with a counterparty for the repayment of the Province’s debt of Swiss francs $300,000.0 of series GY 2.875% due 4 March 2016.  Interest is payable annually in Canadian dollars at a fixed rate.


(23) In May 2008, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its Series GT debentures.


(24) In November 2008, the Province issued an additional $300,000.0 of its Series GV debentures.


(25) In January 2009, the Province issued an additional $429,000.0 of its Series GX debentures.





52




Exhibit “99.1” Current Province of New Brunswick Description




FOREIGN EXCHANGE


Canada maintains a floating exchange rate for the Canadian dollar to permit the rate to be determined by fundamental market forces without intervention except as required to maintain orderly conditions.


Spot exchange rates for the U.S. dollar and Swiss franc in Canada, expressed in Canadian dollars, are shown in the table below for 2005 through 2009.



Average of Noon Spot Rates

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

U.S. Dollar

$1.2116

$1.1341

$ 1.0748

1.0279

1.2602

Swiss Franc

1.0118

0.896

0.9508

1.036

1.1058


Source: Bank of Canada






SOURCES OF INFORMATION


Information included herein which is designated as being taken from a publication of the Province or Canada, or any agency or instrumentality of either, is included herein upon the authority of such publication as an official public document.


All financial information of the Province contained herein was obtained from the annual Budget and Main Estimates, any financial reviews pertaining thereto and the Public Accounts, or was prepared by representatives of the Department of Finance in their official capacities.  The information set forth under "Province of New Brunswick", and other than as described in the preceding paragraph, was prepared by representatives of the Department of Finance in their official capacities.




53