"Given the drastic actions which this government is taking against the people of this province, I think they have an obligation to tell us what they have done to lobby the federal government in an effort to gain a fairer federal-provincial financial arrangement," says Thistle.

Some questions which Thistle wants answered are: What changes has government asked the federal government to implement? What strategies or approaches will they use to put pressure on the federal government? What actions have they already taken to make our case? Do we have any back-up plans in case the federal government refuses to move on this issue? Is equalization reform an issue which this government is placing priority? Has the premier spoken with other federal party leaders to win their support on this issue? Does the present government see any links between the renegotiation of equalization and the transfer of the federal government’s share of Hibernia to the province?

"This is an issue that is very important for our province," said Ms. Thistle. "Up to this point we have heard very little regarding this topic from a government that claims to be open and accountable. The people of this province deserve answers to these questions. The federal government indicated its willingness to change the equalization formula in the past number of years. Mr. Sullivan and Premier Williams must press hard for change and not settle for the status quo. "

Ms. Thistle says the Conservative government campaigned on the promise of getting a new deal with Ottawa and now is the time to demonstrate that actions are louder than words.