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News
Release |
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Opportunity must be provided for Burin Peninsula residents to make pre-budget presentations October 20, 2006 |
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Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank, is calling upon Finance
Minister Loyola Sullivan to ensure Burin Peninsula residents will have full
opportunity to make presentations when the pre-budget consultations take
place beginning next month. Earlier this week, government announced its intentions to hold pre-budget hearings in several areas of the province. The Burin Peninsula was not mentioned as a site for consultations, with the nearest community being Clarenville, as much as a three hour drive for some residents living in the region. "I am disappointed that it appears residents of the Burin Peninsula will not have an opportunity to present their ideas in person to the minister," said Ms. Foote. "While this would have been the best option, government must now ensure residents of our region still have an opportunity to make their presentations. In the past, government has provided an electronic town hall video and conference that has provided the technology to have their voices heard. I did not see any mention of this type of process in the minister’s press release and I fear it may not be considered this time around. "The Burin Peninsula has suffered greatly under the inaction of this government. Fish plants are closed, the shipyard facilities are idle, many health care needs continue to go unaddressed, and people are leaving our communities on a daily basis in search of employment. It is obvious that the minister owes these people a direct link into the decision-making process of this government before budget decisions are made. "The Burin Peninsula will lose out on the opportunity to have a frank exchange with the minister if their only opportunity for input is to either travel to Clarenville, a three hour drive in some cases, or submit a written brief. In his press release the minister talked about the importance of face-to-face interaction, why isn’t this interaction necessary on the Burin Peninsula. The residents of the Burin Peninsula deserve more than that and I encourage the minister and MHA Clyde Jackman to ensure our region is not ignored."
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