Anna Thistle, Liberal Opposition Critic for Finance and MHA for the District of Grand Falls-Buchans says the public accounts surplus announced yesterday is positive for the province, and she is encouraging government to make it work for the people by tackling the social deficit which currently exists. 

Finance minister Loyola Sullivan indicated this week that government has a surplus of nearly $200 million on the books for the fiscal year ending March 2006.   AOur province finds itself in a position of having an improved fiscal outlook mainly due to oil generating revenues, and this windfall now needs to be directed at those who have been calling up on government for help,@ says Thistle. AI encourage government to ensure that this extra cash is spent on those who need it the most.@   

Thistle says she would certainly like to see the energy rebate program enhanced and also expanded to include  electricity, as other provinces, including New Brunswick, are considering introducing. AThis is something the minister was advocating while in opposition several years ago and he should now follow through on this commitment.  The high cost of home heating is creating a great deal of stress on families and many are having to cut back on their food budget to pay a hefty energy bill each month.  

AFamilies in Newfoundland and Labrador are facing insecure times as they struggle to cope with the increased demands of their ever-diminishing income. This is reflected in the increased usage of food banks, even by those who are referred to as the working poor. People are also having a hard time keeping up with the high cost of drugs, particularly MS patients whose expensive medication is not covered by government. Families in rural Newfoundland and Labrador are also challenged, as they face temporary separation and relocation to other provinces just to meet their financial responsibilities. Government=s failure to create economic opportunity has created a wave of out-migration that is throwing many communities into a crisis. This has lead to thousands lining up at job fairs for other provinces. 

The Liberal MHA also points to the need for a larger cash infusion into the health and educational sectors to address the shortage of health care professionals, as well as air quality problem in mould infested schools. ASeniors, too, could use some of  this extra cash in the form of a HST break on funerals and students carrying debt also need assistance in terms of interest elimination to help stem out-migration. 

AThe social deficit is growing in our communities and  has to be tackled.  At a time when we are told  the gap between the richest families and the poorest ones has widened in the past 5 years, government needs to seize this opportunity to be socially responsible and responsive.   It has to deliver concrete initiatives that will address the pressing social deficit that is negatively impacting many families in our province. Investing in people also makes good economic sense and ultimately, will pave the way to a more prosperous province.@