|
On VOCM’s Open Line (Wednesday,
February 4), Finance Minister Loyola Sullivan publicly confirmed that the
government does not pay $1 billion a year in interest on debt as claimed by
Danny Williams during his province-wide television address.
"Last years public accounts confirm that
the province paid $665 million dollars to the banks to pay interest on the
provinces debt," stated Minister Sullivan. "That proves that
Opposition Leader Roger Grimes is wrong," said Sullivan.
"What it really proves is that Danny
Williams was wrong," Mr. Grimes said. "Danny said the government
pays $1 billion dollars to the banks as interest and Loyola is now clearly
contradicting him and telling the province it was $665 million last
year."
"In the meantime, the current year’s
budget predicts that the amount will decrease to $556 million this year,
nowhere close to the $1 billion stated by Danny Williams," said the
Opposition Leader.
"There are clear differences between the
Premier and the Finance Minister and we need a single answer from them in
order to engage in a proper debate on this serious issue," Mr. Grimes
concluded. |