(November 24, 2021) – Tony Wakeham, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, says today’s fiscal update is the result of good fortune and good luck – not good fiscal management from the Liberal government.

“It is welcome news to see a reduced deficit in Newfoundland and Labrador, but government has high commodity prices to thank – not themselves. Increased activity in our mining sector and a slight increase in oil and gas royalties is good for our province, while the Liberals remain unwilling to tackle real issues in our fiscal situation,” said Wakeham.

“The Liberals continue to focus on increasing taxation and keeping the cost of living high for everyday Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The question is: how does this momentary increase in revenues affect the implementation of the Greene Report? Does the recommended 25 per cent cut in healthcare now change to a 20 per cent cut? We need to be investing in our healthcare system, not cutting.”

Wakeham says a $45 million decrease in spending is an artificial number.

“The Minister says deferred infrastructure spending is one of the reasons expenditures are down. Those expenses will still need to happen, so that’s not really any cost saving for the people of the province,” said Wakeham.

“Keeping vacant positions open in government and then trumpeting about salary savings is also an artificial spending reduction. Why is government keeping unfilled positions on the books when some have been vacant for at least three years? Again, the Liberals are avoiding any action on government expenses. We aren’t seeing sound fiscal management, we’re seeing windfall from commodities helping our province.”
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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca