The federal government's recent slash in spending will add up to about $124 million in losses for New Brunswick programs, with the federal gun registry, salmon farmers and adult literacy training bearing the brunt.

The Tory government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the cuts on Monday, predicting they would help save $1 billion within two years.

Jan Greer of the New Brunswick Literacy Coalition said she had a gut feeling that some of her group's funding would be scrapped — but didn't expect such a big hit. The coalition is losing more than a half-million dollars from its programs, which target low literacy rates among New Brunswick adults.

Greer said she doesn't accept the Harper government's explanation that the money was being wasted.

"These funds are not excessive at all when you take into consideration the challenge we're faced with and the impact low literacy has on our developing workforce."

Liberal MP Andy Scott, who represents Fredericton, said he doesn't understand the Harper government's rationale either.

"It's just incredible to me at exactly the same time they're announcing a $13-billion surplus, they're cutting funding for literacy. I mean, how short-sighted can you be?"

Miramichi firearms centre, salmon growers hit

Treasury Board President John Baird said the savings would result from cuts in programs that the government feels aren't delivering value for money, didn't spend all the allocated money or don't meet Canadians' needs.

They also affect work that Ottawa deems could be done more efficiently outside the government.

In New Brunswick, that translates into:

• A $6-million budget cut for the Miramichi Firearms Centre.
• Cuts to the federal court challenges program.
• Cuts to a crop insurance program for salmon growers on the province's southwest coast.

$10M cut jeopardizes salmon industry, group warns

The former Liberal government had pledged $20 million to create the crop insurance program for salmon farmers who have been hit hard by disease and escapes.

Harper's government took $10 million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), a federal government agency that does economic development in the region, to help the salmon growers — but said it won't pay out the rest of the pledged money.

Len Stewart, the president of the New Brunswick Salmon Growers Association, said the money was important to ensure the future of the industry.

"Unfortunately, public policy in Canada gives incredible support to the agricultural industry and none to the farmers of the ocean, and that's not to say that terrestrial farmers don't deserve the funding they receive.

N.B. legislator defends cuts

New Brunswick Southwest MP Greg Thompson, the province's representative in the Harper cabinet, defended the cuts. He said Ottawa is simply trimming programs where it did not see value for money.

"It's money we believe could be spent in other areas, or spent more wisely on behalf of the Government of Canada," Thompson said.

"When you compare that to the interest we will save by having paid down the debt, I think most Canadians will agree that's pretty good conservative math."

Last year's surplus was $13.2-billion. The Harper government has decided to put all of it toward paying down the national debt.