The Liberal MHA says the lack of representation from rural Newfoundland and Labrador in the Williams’ cabinet is obviously having a negative impact. The first two decisions were to put a halt to two health care facilities, one on the Burin Peninsula and the other in Central Newfoundland. "Without adequate representation in his Cabinet speaking to the needs of rural Newfoundland and Labrador, Williams will be able to continue to ignore those areas of the province that are the most vulnerable," said Ms. Foote.

"I fully expect to see drastic changes in the way in which the education and health care systems of our province are funded. I fear that decisions will be driven more by financial considerations and the bottom line rather than a concern for what is in the best interest of our people. By putting a halt to these two health care facilities the Conservative government has already put health care providers on notice that things are going to change and certainly not for the better. Add to that decision the announcement to freeze the wages of those employed in the public service and a promise to cut the public service by 6000 jobs through attrition, it is any wonder the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are shaking their heads and wondering if the man who is now the Premier is the same individual who campaigned for the job promising to deliver better services and jobs," said Ms. Foote.

"Even business people across this province, who expected more from the Premier because of his continued reference to his business background, are questioning how the Premier can’t seem to appreciate the negative impact his statement is having in the province. Consumer confidence has been damaged and people are reluctant to spend their money. Such concern translates into less investment in bigger ticket items like cars and appliances making it difficult on those businesses who rely on people with reliable incomes to make such purchases. This is especially true in rural Newfoundland and Labrador where the population base is smaller. Half a dozen people taking themselves out of the market because they are afraid to spend can have devastating results in a small community. If he persists with the course of action he has put before the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, I expect to see irreparable damage done to the economy of the rural areas of our province," said Ms. Foote.

Ms. Foote says the changes being proposed by Premier Williams are driven by his own ideological beliefs and his vision of the limited role which government should play in society.

This approach contrasts with that of the Liberal Government which had a balanced approach to dealing with the financial situation and involved balancing the needs of our people, keeping control over spending and implementing a long-term strategy of continuing to revitalize the economy, realizing more revenue from our resources and continuing to work for a fairer fiscal arrangement within the Canadian confederation.