If you send your children to a private school in New Brunswick, a new political proposal aims to keep more money in your pocket. A Progressive Conservative leadership candidate wants to use public tax dollars to subsidize private school tuition. Don Monahan proposes a new tax credit to reduce costs for families who choose private schools or homeschooling.

As reported by CBC News, this policy pitch aims to give parents more educational choices while addressing issues in the public system like crowded classrooms and low assessment scores.

How the Tax Credit Works

Monahan estimates a $5,000 tax credit reduces a family’s taxable income. This saves parents between $470 and $1,015 per child depending on their income bracket and tax rate.

The MLA for Arcadia Butternut Valley Maple Hills bases his platform on four pillars. He lists them as access and affordability, parental choice, fiscal restraint, and simplicity.

Private Schools Welcome the Pitch

Private school enrollment in New Brunswick shows steady growth. The Department of Education and Early Child Development reports an increase from 1,687 students in the 2021 to 2022 school year to 2,339 students projected for 2025 to 2026.

Private school operators see high interest but note that financial barriers keep many families away.

“It is difficult for a lot of families to have that kind of discretional dollars to choose, which is why we are strong advocates for school choice,” says Kara Angus. She operates East Coast Leadership Academy in Fredericton.

Marsha Boyd Mitchell heads Sussex Christian School and supports the idea. She notes that families sometimes withdraw their children because they lack the funding to sustain the tuition.

Teachers Union Pushes Back

The New Brunswick Teachers Association strongly opposes government funding for private schools. Union president Heidi Ryder says this move chips away at vital resources needed in the public system.

“Any mechanism to divert taxpayer funds into private businesses and away from public education really would be concerning to us,” Ryder says.

She adds that politicians need to focus on strengthening public education rather than looking for alternatives.

The Political Reality

School choice policies exist in other Canadian provinces but face hurdles in New Brunswick. Former PC premier Blaine Higgs rejected a similar idea in 2023. Monahan’s current leadership opponent Daniel Allain remains uncommitted to the tax credit system but welcomes the discussion.

The current Liberal government also shuts down the idea. Education Minister Claire Johnson states that private schools and homeschools fall outside the public education system. She confirms the province has no plans to extend public funding or tax credits to them.

Monahan needs to win the PC leadership race on October 17 and the next provincial election in 2028 to turn this policy into reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed private school tax credit?

PC leadership candidate Don Monahan proposes a $5,000 tax credit to reduce taxable income for families who enroll their children in private schools or choose homeschooling.

How much money does the tax credit save families?

The proposed credit saves families between $470 and $1,015 per child based on their specific income and tax rate.

Does the current New Brunswick government support this idea?

No. Education Minister Claire Johnson states there are no plans to extend public funding or tax credits to private schools or homeschools.

Why do public school advocates oppose the tax credit?

The New Brunswick Teachers Association argues that diverting taxpayer funds to private businesses takes essential resources away from the public education system.