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News
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Thistle says a financial update necessary to give proper
recommendations to Minister during consultations October 24, 2005
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Anna Thistle, Opposition Finance Critic and MHA for the District of Grand
Falls - Buchans, says Finance Minister Loyola Sullivan must give a financial
update to the people of the province before beginning pre-budget
consultations so that citizens can base recommendations on solid financial
information.
"The financial situation in this province has changed dramatically over the past year due to increased funding from Ottawa and record energy prices," said Thistle. "The current budget still projects a deficit of several hundred million dollars and that is not an accurate picture of the true state of the provincial finances. A budget update is necessary and should be provided by the Minister of Finance to provide accountability to the public who have a right to know where we stand. "The Minister stated in a recent news release that the budget is about setting priorities and balancing between program spending and financial responsibility. It is impossible for the people of the province to make recommendations to government for program spending if the size of the current budget surplus or deficit will not be disclosed. If the Minister is on top of his department, a fall fiscal update should be easy to put together and deliver to the people before the consultations begin." The Liberal MHA says she also believes it is time that Minister Sullivan take a new approach to pre-budget consultations. "Over the past two years, it was evident that government received a lot of negative feedback about the direction government was taking on a number of budgetary issues. Rather than listen to the concerns raised across the province, government moved forward with cuts to social programs, spending and other essential services. "In keeping with the Williams Blue Book promise to a new approach to governance, the Minister of Finance should publicly release details of what government hears during pre-budget consultations. This would be a valuable yard-stick in determining whether or not government is addressing the needs identified in all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador. The people of the province could compare their recommendations with the actual budgetary policy announced by government in the spring." |
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