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Judy Foote, Opposition Critic for the Department of Innovation, Trade and
Rural Development and MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says she is
appalled that government is predicting in its budget documents a continued
decline in the population of the province over the next four years. The
Liberal MHA was referring to a projection made on page 7 of Economy 2005, a
document circulated as part of the budget package. "This prediction really
tells the full story, they are predicting a further decline in the
population of this province for a extended period of time and they have no
plan which they believe has any chance of dealing with the problem," said
Foote. "While this government is making a lot of statements about plans to
revitalize our rural areas, their own documents show that they have no real
confidence in what they are doing. Their latest announcement has them trying
to build on the Liberal government’s Jobs and Growth Strategy. This is yet
another indication that they don’t have a plan of their own, contrary to
their claims during the election.
"During the last year the Liberal administration was in power, the
population of this province increased by over 300 people, but the doom and
gloom approach of this government has driven people away. The incompetence
of this government is most evident in rural areas of this province.
"I have said before that it should be clear to everyone in this province
that the current government, contrary to their election statements, has no
plan and they are not taking any action to bring about economic development
in rural areas of this province. They have made a few statements of intent
and are undertaking a few studies, while rural areas of this province are in
serious trouble. There is no sign in this budget of any initiative by this
government to help revitalize rural communities and secure employment for
the people who live there. On the contrary, since this government took
office, we have seen more than 2000 people leaving their communities in
search of job opportunities outside the province."
Foote says she looks forward to the budget debate in the House of
Assembly so she can get the Minister to explain why she is willing to stand
by and allow rural areas of this province to decline. "We intend to
challenge this government on their lack of action every day in the House and
hold every government MHA accountable for their inexcusable record on rural
development." |