For Immediate Release
7 April, 2022
NL NDP Leader and MHA for St. John’s Centre Jim Dinn was underwhelmed by the provincial 2022-2023 budget, and is concerned it lacks provincial investments to account for inflation costs.
“What was presented in the budget as benefits for people in the province only benefit those who have income to spare. A rebate on a golf membership is great for golfers, but it does nothing to help people who can’t keep up with the increased cost of housing, transportation and food,” said Dinn.
“On the surface it appears as a status quo budget, but without financial stimulus from the province to offset inflation, the people of this province can expect a decrease in the level and quality of services provided by every government department,” said Dinn. “People may be breathing a sigh of relief, but the details are concerning and we believe that we can do better as a province.”
“The Liberal government lost an opportunity to help the people of this province by not tackling the cost of living increases that are causing more people to struggle to make ends meet. This government just doesn’t get it.”
The NL NDP notes that the provincial budget included no plan for a just transition on the heels of the federal Liberal government approving another oil mega project in Newfoundland and Labrador. This oversight underscores that the government has no plan to avail of the opportunities in a green transition, and risks leaving the people of this province behind the rest of Canada and the world.
“Research around the world points to the tremendous opportunities in a green transition, and the government has given no indication that we will become transition leaders and meet the demands of the future,” said Dinn. “Workers in the oil and gas industry breathed a sigh of relief last night, but this government is risking putting them through the same worries about their future they’ve felt as the globe races to burn less oil.”
On April 5th, 2022 the NL NDP released its initial outline of recommendations for opportunities in a just transition.
The overview can be viewed by visiting https://www.nl.ndp.ca/justtransitionplanforworkers
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NDP Caucus Office, Confederation Building, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 ˑ 709-729-0270 ˑ