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A memo released under the Freedom of Information Act indicates clearly that
Premier Danny Williams made a false and misleading statement about the
province’s finances during his televised address, claims Opposition Leader
Roger Grimes.
Premier Williams stated that over $1 billion a year is spent to pay the
interest on our debt. The Premier further stated that 25 cents out of every
dollar is spent to service the debt since the total expenditures are 4.2
billion dollars a year. That would leave only 3 billion dollars to pay for
all government programs and services.
"The memo of 26 November 2003, from the government’s Director of
Budgeting to the external auditor states clearly that the amount needed to
pay interest on the debt for next year will be $530 million dollars,"
said Mr. Grimes. "That’s half the amount that Danny Williams stated
in his address." The same memo stated there would be $3.7 billion left
to pay for programs and services next year rather than the $3 billion figure
claimed by Williams."
"Why did Danny Williams use numbers that are so very different? Is
he going to suggest that the Director of Budgeting is wrong?"
The Opposition has been calling for an early opening of the legislature
so these questions can be asked in detail.
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