Nova Scotia's Tory minority government will table its budget on Friday.

The announcement comes in the midst of a fight with the federal government over equalization payments, money the province uses to pay for infrastructure, health care and other services.

Both Finance Minister Michael Baker and Premier Rodney MacDonald have told Nova Scotians to expect some belt-tightening, even warning that some spending promises made during last year's election campaign may have to be delayed.

In announcing the budget date Wednesday, Baker also told his fellow MLAs that his cancer has returned and he expects he'll have to scale back his duties.

"I may not be able to attend at the house as much as I wish over the next while as I pursue treatment options," he said.

Last May, Baker tabled the budget and then had surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his neck.