NDP House Leader Lorraine Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) delivered the caucus’s response to government’s Speech from the Throne today in the House of Assembly.
She says there is little contained in the lengthy document to indicate the Liberals plan to change course from the first 15 months of governing, which Michael describes as “disastrous.”
“Speeches from the Throne tend to have lots of fine words and embroidered phrases. In this case, government is glossing over the grim reality of an austerity budget with facile phrases like ‘doing better with less.’ But if you want to find out what a government is really about, you’ll read their budget,” Michael said in the House.
“I say ask women if they are doing better with less. I say ask seniors if they are doing better with less. Ask students in our post-secondary institutions if they are doing better with less.”
Michael says she will be waiting to see if the April 6 budget has more to offer. “This government says it is providing a new Way Forward but sadly I see no sign of the bold and creative leadership that this province needs in these difficult times,” she said.
“Our challenge, Mr. Speaker, is to restore hope in our people, to encourage young people to stay, to treat seniors with respect, to harness the creativity and ingenuity of our people.
“It is in difficult times like these that the people most need their government to step up and provide bold leadership. Next week’s budget is a good place to start – and I wait in hope.”