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Anna Thistle, Opposition Finance and Treasury Board critic and MHA for the
district of Grand Falls-Buchans, said today that the Premier’s attitude in
dealing with the province’s deficit is wrong, archaic and not a new
approach to governing. Ms. Thistle was responding to Premier Williams state
of the province address on Monday night.
"Last night’s address by Premier Williams confirmed that he plans
to run the province’s finances like a business," said Ms. Thistle.
"This approach cannot be used when governing a province with social
responsibilities. I am disappointed that the Premier decided not to take a
balanced approach in dealing with the deficit, an approach that focuses on
longer-term solutions and economic growth, while preserving the services
used by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians on a daily basis. Mr. Williams did
not present any real solutions to the deficit or provide details on how he
is going grow the economy and create new jobs to revitalize rural
Newfoundland and Labrador. This was his election platform, yet there was no
mention of these plans. All that was stated was the fact that jobs will be
cut.
"Instead of promoting confidence in our growing economy, Mr.
Williams has sent a message to potential investors that our economic climate
is much worse than reality. Who would want to start a new business in this
province after listening to the doom and gloom message of this government?
"There are many positive things happening in our province today; new
economic growth that is leading the country, outmigration has stopped, and
there are more people working in this province today than ever before in our
history. Mr. Williams speech may actually hurt our economic growth. Will our
public servants stop spending money due to fear of losing their jobs? Will a
wage freeze encourage our nurses to leave the province? Will layoffs end the
positive job growth we have been experiencing over the past number of years?
Will attrition leave vital service positions unfilled?
"Instead of concentrating on doom and gloom scenarios, Mr. Williams
should have looked at the positive things that can happen under his watch.
There was no mention of getting a new deal with Canada to improve revenues
from our resource projects, nor did he mention future projects such as the
Lower Churchill and Hebron/Ben Nevis. New offshore exploration dollars of
over $670 million have just been announced for new offshore areas, the most
ever in our history."
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