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Foote disappointed that no pre-budget consultation scheduled for Burin Peninsula February 21, 2007 Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says she is disappointed that Finance Minister Tom Marshall has apparently decided not to hold a pre-budget consultation on the Burin Peninsula and give residents a full opportunity to make presentations directly to the minister. In October, Foote made a request for government to hold pre-budget consultations on the Burin Peninsula. Since that time, government has announced pre-budget hearings in several areas of the province. Today, the minister issued a press release indicating that the final consultations will take place in St. Anthony and Labrador, however, no mention was made of the Burin Peninsula. "I am very disappointed that government appears willing to once again ignore the views of Burin Peninsula residents in preparing the budget," said Ms. Foote. "While we are a large geographic region with many budgetary needs, it appears our residents will once again have no opportunity to present their ideas in person to the minister. In addition, there is no indication as to whether a teleconference link will be established so presentations could still take place. "Our region has faced some very significant issues over the past few years, especially related to our fishing and ship building sectors. I find it totally unacceptable that our cabinet representative, Clyde Jackman, can sit back and allow our people to be snubbed in this way by the Williams government. If the minister is serious about receiving budgetary input, I encourage him to reconsider and schedule a pre-budget hearing on the Burin Peninsula."
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