Nova Scotia NDP Leader Darrell Dexter contends the provincial government should delay its spring budget because of uncertainty surrounding the effects of Ottawa's revamped equalization formula.

Dexter said the timing of Friday's provincial budget isn't right and that Premier Rodney MacDonald and his minority Tory government should take more time to calculate the full impact of the federal budget.

"It is essentially a rearguard action to try to ensure that the budget gets through the house whether or not they have all the information they need or not."
 
Finance Minister Michael Baker's announcement follows figures released by his department showing Nova Scotia could lose as much as $157 million or more in program funding if it chooses to opt out of a new federal equalization formula.

MacDonald has hinted he does not want to give up the extra money Ottawa is offering this year in lieu of the 2005 offshore oil and gas deal.

The federal budget allows Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador to share in an enhanced equalization program only if they agree to opt out of the Atlantic Accord signed by the previous government.

MacDonald said the accusation he's hurrying the process is "absolutely ridiculous."

"It's time to do a budget. We're not playing politics with this at all."

The premier said he has decided between enhanced equalization and the Atlantic Accord and will tell Nova Scotians on budget day what he intends to do.