Today, the PC government their first budget, but NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) says that it fails to deliver on promised expectations, relief with the crushing cost of living, and is overall a missed opportunity for the PCs to make a real difference and set themselves apart from the former government.
“At a time when Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are being squeezed by an unprecedented cost of living crisis, this budget offers virtually nothing new to meet the moment,” said Dinn. “At best, it recycles previously announced initiatives – putting no new money in people’s pockets – and minor tax-time savings this time next year. But it does nothing to help families afford groceries today, nothing to help seniors pay for medication, and ultimately falls far short of delivering the bold, practical solutions people desperately need.”
An NDP cost of living budget that puts people first would have included:
- HST of all forms of home heating, HST off children’s clothes, footwear, car seats.
- A Guaranteed Basic Livable Income pilot program.
- Rent control, building more non-market homes, increase the First Time Home Buyers Program.
- Pay equity, sick days and pensions for ECEs, increase in minimum wage.
Dinn says the PC government made big, bold promises in its election platform, but this budget makes it clear Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are not getting the better deal they were promised. He notes that while the fiscal outlook may look strong on paper, it means little without real investment in people and the political will to deliver solutions that address the root causes of the crises we face. Without that, he argues, this budget does nothing to change the course set by successive Liberal and PC governments.
“Fiscal responsibility is about more than reducing the deficit – it’s about using public money to strengthen our public services, invest in the social determinants of health, and ensure people have what they need not just to survive, but to thrive and contribute to a growing economy,” said Dinn. “Instead, we’re seeing cuts to NL Housing Corporation funding, a series of plans to create 10-year plans with little detail, recycled Liberal affordability promises, and measures that push help further down the road. To me, it completely misses the mark.”
“I see little in this budget that meaningfully diversifies our economy, and that raises real concerns about our future. I also see very little to improve the working conditions of our essential workforce, or to seriously recruit, retain, and invest in the people who deliver the services we all rely on.”
“The NDP will spend the coming weeks digging into the details of this budget to determine whether it truly delivers for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Unfortunately, at first glance, it looks more like a status quo Liberal budget with a tint of blue. People in this province deserve far better than that.”