"It is my understanding that front line positions still have not been filled and this is causing hardship for both clients and employees in the department. Clients are not able to get assistance processed quickly and in some cases medical treatment is being delayed because there are not enough front line workers to deal with the heavy caseload. This work environment is placing an unreasonable amount of stress on workers as well," says Butler.

"The premier’s recent address to the province is creating a political climate where serious and immediate problems such as this are ignored. There is another approach to solving our financial problems other than cutting back on services to the underprivileged in our society. What we need is a balanced approach which involves looking after the social needs of our province and investing in people, while also keeping tight control of the fiscal situation. This balanced approach should also involve a long-term strategy of increasing our revenue from our resources and getting a fairer fiscal arrangement within the Canadian Confederation."

The opposition critic also accused the Conservative government of having a hidden agenda which they are only now making public. "The approach they are taking is driven more by their political ideology than by economic necessity. This is all about how Danny Williams views the world and how he wants to limit the role of government in society. He is focused on the financial deficit, but he does not mind creating a social deficit."