Brian Gallant to deliver 2nd State of the Province address tonight

Premier Brian Gallant will deliver his second State of the Province address tonight inFredericton.

He is expected to discuss his government's accomplishments to date, and lay out the province's future direction to the soldout crowd at the Fredericton Convention Centre.

The Gallant government has pledged to focus on three priorities: job creation, improving services for families, and getting the province's finances in order.

The promise of 5,000 jobs in the first year of its mandatewent unfulfilled as the economy continued to struggle. The deficit currently stands atabout $303.1 million.

Gallant's speech will likely touch on next week's provincial budget.

Earlier this week, cabinet minister Victor Boudreau suggestedthe Feb. 2 budget will include some significant cuts.

Boudreau, who led a strategic program review aimed at finding $500 million in cuts and revenue, has alsosaidthe healthcare and education systems will be spared from any "major cuts or major changes."

Other costcutting and revenuerelatedideas in the government's Choices report include "reshaping" the civil service,highway tolls, a corporate income tax increase,and a twopercentagepointincrease to theHST although a tax credit could be created for lowand middleincome New Brunswickers to offset any HST hike, Boudreau has suggested.

Some members of the business community had expressed disappointment in Gallant's previous State of the Province address,saying they were hoping for amore concrete action plan.

Tonight's event,hosted by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce,is slated to begin with a reception at 5:15 p.m.

The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce is the province's largest, with more than 900 members.