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Government's costly branding program
another symbol of misplaced priorities Judy Foote, Liberal Opposition Critic for the Department of Business and MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says information obtained under the Access to Information Act reveals that government’s recent branding attempts have been costly, and reinforces the excessive spending habits of the Williams’ government. Today in the House of Assembly, the Liberal MHA exposed the high financial costs associated with government’s questionable branding program which was launched in October of this year. Details from the information received show that the provincial brand program cost Newfoundland and Labrador taxpayers in excess of one million dollars. Those costs include development, artistic and advertising costs, as well as money required to switch the brand on some government assets and materials. Foote points out that some of the more notable expenditures related to this program include the $65,000 for a glossy householder distributed throughout the province, $500,000 for advertising (including in-theatre ads) and $40,000 spent on two plywood billboards placed in front of the Confederation Building and the Elizabeth Goudie building in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. "Given the current and serious state of our provincial affairs, with food bank usage on the upswing, health care standards jeopardized because government claims it cannot afford to pay its pharmacists and its paramedics, and the high price people have to pay for drugs, insurance, energy and food needs, it is troubling to see this sort of priority being given to a program that does not respond to basic needs," says Foote. "It once again highlights that this government is not at all in touch with the economic struggles and the reality that is taking place in families, homes and communities throughout the province." The Opposition has also called into question other lavish spending habits of the premier and his ministers, including the outrageous amount spent to host a gathering of premiers last summer. The cost to wine, dine and entertain premiers and territorial leaders for one night in July cost $200,000. Other costly gifts include fur coats for Ralph Klein and his wife totaling $8,000. The $15 million destined for a controversial fibre optic deal has also come under fire in this spending spree by this fiscally irresponsible government. "The branding program was a discretionary initiative, one that we could have done without at this difficult time. The choices of this government are considered questionable and even absurd, especially by those who struggle with poverty and other financial hardships."
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