(May 20, 2022, St. John's) – Tony Wakeham, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, and Barry Petten, PC Official Opposition House Leader and MHA for Conception Bay South, say the PC Caucus effort to block further tax increases and force action on the cost of living crisis will continue.

“This past week my caucus colleagues and I shared the stories of hardworking Newfoundlanders and Labradorians struggling to make ends meet during this cost of living crisis. We heard stories of single mothers wondering about the future of their children, of non-profit organizations struggling to keep up with gas bills, and of seniors questioning whether to delay a grocery trip so they could afford medication,” said Wakeham.

“Meanwhile, the Liberal Government wants to further increase tax on gasoline. This government is completely out of touch with the needs of the people of our province. The Finance Minister can afford to wait for the Fall for action, but the people of our province cannot. We will get results through our efforts in the legislature.”

Petten says the PC Opposition Caucus is united in its efforts to get results for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The PC Caucus effort to get action from government on the cost of living crisis and to block the carbon tax increase continues in the House of Assembly, though the Liberals are afraid to bring the issue forward and hold a proper debate. The Liberals control the agenda of the House and they’re using that control to avoid talking about the cost of living crisis in our province,” said Petten.

“They can run, but they can’t hide from the fact Newfoundlanders and Labradorians need help now to get them through this crisis. My caucus colleagues and I are committed to this effort and will take every opportunity to demand action from the Liberal Government to help seniors, families, and everyone making difficult decisions between gas and groceries through this crisis.

Next week, we will return to our districts to hear more stories from real people feeling these effects firsthand and our effort to get results from this government will resume when the House of Assembly reconvenes the following week.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca