Anna Thistle, MHA for Grand Falls-Buchans district and Opposition Finance Critic, believes the provincial budget tabled this afternoon will stall the economic growth that has led the country over the past number of years.

"This province was on a track towards economic prosperity while maintaining a reasonable degree of social responsibility.  As a result of today's budget, consumer spending, economic growth and prosperity will stall.  Unfortunately, the job cuts and approach to government budgeting taken by Premier Williams and his government will cause out-migration to become a problem once again," said Ms. Thistle.

 "This government committed during the election campaign to growing the economy and being responsible in their approach to governance.  Cutting back on government services and increasing user fees is evidence of the government=s failure to achieve these goals.  The impact will be felt in all areas of the province, both urban and rural."

 The Liberal MHA continues to believe that a balanced approach to governing would have been more appropriate.  The deficit could have been managed without cutting programs, massive layoffs and dramatic increases in user fees.

"The government has failed the people of this province after just five months in office.  A responsible government would have examined government services to identify efficiencies, identify alternative sources of revenue and softened the blow on residents and the economy."