News release

Province Approves Write-offs for 2011-12

Finance (to Oct. 2013)

The province is writing off $38.4 million in debts that were considered unpaid or uncollectible as of March 31, 2012.

Write-offs are a routine accounting practice and do not impact Nova Scotia's deficit or surplus position.

Debts are written off each year when it is determined that they are unlikely to be paid in cases of personal or commercial bankruptcy, death of the debtor or property foreclosure.

Although written off from an accounting point of view, the province will continue its efforts to collect debts.

Nine departments have write-offs for things such as ambulance user fees, student loans, farm loans, Pharmacare premiums, fines, and various other fees.

The Department of Health and Wellness has the largest write-off, with $18.5 million. This is primarily due to unsuccessful attempts at collection of ambulance fees dating back to 1998. The department is working with Emergency Medical Care on a new process to improve collection rates.

A list of the write-offs is available at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .