Yvonne Jones says the provincial budget has shown her two widening gaps.
"The rural-urban divide is even greater than it was. The gaps between rich and poor is becoming more evident. And I think you only have to read through the numbers in the budget to figure that out," the Liberal leader told a group of reporters in the lobby of Confederation Building while Finance Minister Tom Marshall was delivering his budget in the House of Assembly Monday.
Jones also wasn't happy to see a second straight deficit and the prospect of one or two more in the coming years.
"I see some irony in this budget because it was back in the fall that Minister Marshall said that our spending was not sustainable into the long term, but yet today we see again a five per cent increase in overall program spending in this budget and we see another deficit," she said.
Jones also wondered how the government can predict mining revenues will grow 60 per cent in the coming year when many new mining projects are still in various stages of development and the strike at Voisey's Bay continues to drag on, and will soon hit the eight-month mark.
"I really need to question where they're getting these projections," she said.
Jones was happy to see investments in programs and services for children, as she's been highlighting a number of ways children have been falling through the holes in the social safety net since becoming the interim leader of the Liberal party.
"(That) tells me that opposition works and that if you raise the issues often enough they'll see the problems and address them," she said.
While there were a few things NDP Leader Lorraine Michael liked about the budget, overall she was not happy with it.
"They've given crumbs," said Michael.
"The government says it's investing in children and their future, well they better worry about investing in children now, investing in families now," she continued.
Michael was hoping for news of a child-care program which would allow more parents to work and stimulate the economy by creating child-care jobs.
But that wasn't in the budget.
She also saw nothing for seniors, saying the modest tax breaks for those over 65 will be wiped out by increases in the cost of living.
Michael also slammed tax cuts for the highest tax bracket.
"It's absolutely disgraceful that those in the top bracket are getting tax breaks of a drop of 2.2 points in their rate of payment. I can't believe it," she said, adding those in the middle tax bracket are only getting a tax break of 0.3 per cent.
Michael also said while the government is putting money into social programs, it's doing so without a long-term plan.
"They talk about the future, but they don't give us what their plans are to get to that future ... only the very first step," she said.
dbartlett@thetelegram.com
Thumbs down to budget: Opposition
Top to bottom, NDP Leader Lorraine Michael speaks to reporters Monday about the budget. Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones reacts to Monday's budget. - Photos by Gary Hebbard/The Telegram
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Published on
March 30, 2010
- Published on July 1, 2010
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Dave Bartlett
Yvonne Jones says the provincial budget has shown her two widening gaps.
"The rural-urban divide is even greater than it was. The gaps between rich and poor is becoming more evident. And I think you only have to read through the numbers in the budget to figure that out," the Liberal leader told a group of reporters in the lobby of Confederation Building while Finance Minister Tom Marshall was delivering his budget in the House of Assembly Monday.
Jones also wasn't happy to see a second straight deficit and the prospect of one or two more in the coming years.
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Comments
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- Craig
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:05:17
The rural-urban divide is even greater than it was. The gaps between rich and poor is becoming more evident. And I think you only have to read through the numbers in the budget to figure that out,
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Wow, how can you take a person seriously who speaks like that. The gaps between rich and poor is becoming more evident
She makes Kevin Blackmore's Buddy Wassisname character sound like a rhodes scholar. These opposition politicians are never happy and I guess that is what they have to do to get noticed. We are spending record amounts on healthcare in this province and out outcomes are still the worst in the country.
These deficits over the next couple of years are no big deal, we are still in much better shape than most other provinces and we can see an end to out budget shortfalls in the near future.
Could we do more? Possibly. Can we afford it? Not on your life. -
- Jack
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:04:17
Just another reason they are known as the gang of 5 no new ideas no clue on what to do to make the Provence a better place Danny could stay premiere for life if he so wished!
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- Jordan
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:48
Who cares what these two think? If Lorraine Michael was running the shots NL would be bankrupt like most dipper run provinces and Yvonne Jones wants to cut the deficit by not investing in the oil & gas industry and Nalcor.
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- Darren
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:23
So Yvonne, you don't want to run a deficit and you are complaining about not enough money being spent in rural NL... What would you cut from the present budget to spend more money in rural NL and also balance the books?? By the way Yvonne, I come from rural NL and the only thing that I have to say is that resettlement did not go far enough! There are too many small communities that have to many demands to fund everything. I was a Liberal for many years, but that God I had the sense to change my mind. You people don't have a clue! Keep talking and soon you will have the few leftover Liberals convinced of that as well.
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- John Doe
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:55:49
So is this how these guys hope to regain power, so that they can controll the provinces purse strings??? By going to the media and instantly slamming the budget, without any proposals, or ideas or suggestions??? Dear God people, just imagine, one of these people could be the leader of the province! Complete dolts! Everytime Yvonne opens her yap she sets the Liberal party back further and further. The Liberals have no clue, and the poor ol' NDP are worse, if that's possible. This budget is the envy of the country. Quebec are adding new sales taxes, and new personal taxes to try to get a handle on its 130 billion dollar deficit. We are getting schools, hospitals, roads, ferrys, and tax cuts...yet these guys give it the thumbs down. Great job there Yvonne, and Lorraine. I hope they have jobs lined up for after the next election.
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- DB
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:55:10
Tumbs down to the budget, tumbs down to no spending, here's a comment for you make up your d%&m mind what you want or do you have a mind to use.
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- proud nflder
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:17
I am starting to wonder if Yvonne Jones knows whats shes at. Wasn't she in government some time ago where was she then .Its good to have her in oppostion because thats where she belongs .The people at the helm of Government are doing it right for this problem ad nobody is going to push them around .keep up the good work
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- Frank M
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:40
After the next general election, there will be 5 opposition members drawing a lucrative MHA pension.
They really do not deserve it. -
- Don
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:17
Now pray tell what else would you expect from those two ---- something intelligent ?????
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- Nasty
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:11
Lorraine Michael, Yvonne Jones and Danny Williams are nothing more then crooks. Wake up people, not one of them are out to help you. They are out to pad their retirement and nothing more. The sooner the old school is expelled the better off we all will be.
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- b
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:03
Darren from NL, you hit the nail on the head. Many small outport communities are fast becoming retirement communities simply because young people are choosing to move to larger centers for jobs and ammenities. It makes little sense to set up every community with it's own schools and the like when most have no viable future.
Jones and Michaels are just shilling to get votes when they get on with this nonsense. -
- Newfie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:24
Danny The Outport Killer Williams has done it again. He gives to the rich in tax cuts, bails out corporations (Kruger), and throws a few scrapes to his faithful.
When are we going to learn? Hopefully in 2011, but I can't believe the fools who believe Danny is the best will be able to see past his deceit and dishonest tones in time for that to happen.
But Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are smart, we take care of people. Danny takes care of the Rich and the Powerful. Not a Newfoundland trait, must be a Newfoundland Traitor. -
- Another Tory Shill
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:28
I agree. What is the opposition doing opposing? They should shut up.
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- Craig
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:55:16
The rural-urban divide is even greater than it was. The gaps between rich and poor is becoming more evident. And I think you only have to read through the numbers in the budget to figure that out,
------------------------
Wow, how can you take a person seriously who speaks like that. The gaps between rich and poor is becoming more evident
She makes Kevin Blackmore's Buddy Wassisname character sound like a rhodes scholar. These opposition politicians are never happy and I guess that is what they have to do to get noticed. We are spending record amounts on healthcare in this province and out outcomes are still the worst in the country.
These deficits over the next couple of years are no big deal, we are still in much better shape than most other provinces and we can see an end to out budget shortfalls in the near future.
Could we do more? Possibly. Can we afford it? Not on your life. -
- Jack
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:53:27
Just another reason they are known as the gang of 5 no new ideas no clue on what to do to make the Provence a better place Danny could stay premiere for life if he so wished!
-
- Jordan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:52:39
Who cares what these two think? If Lorraine Michael was running the shots NL would be bankrupt like most dipper run provinces and Yvonne Jones wants to cut the deficit by not investing in the oil & gas industry and Nalcor.
-
- Darren
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:52
So Yvonne, you don't want to run a deficit and you are complaining about not enough money being spent in rural NL... What would you cut from the present budget to spend more money in rural NL and also balance the books?? By the way Yvonne, I come from rural NL and the only thing that I have to say is that resettlement did not go far enough! There are too many small communities that have to many demands to fund everything. I was a Liberal for many years, but that God I had the sense to change my mind. You people don't have a clue! Keep talking and soon you will have the few leftover Liberals convinced of that as well.
-
- John Doe
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:42:23
So is this how these guys hope to regain power, so that they can controll the provinces purse strings??? By going to the media and instantly slamming the budget, without any proposals, or ideas or suggestions??? Dear God people, just imagine, one of these people could be the leader of the province! Complete dolts! Everytime Yvonne opens her yap she sets the Liberal party back further and further. The Liberals have no clue, and the poor ol' NDP are worse, if that's possible. This budget is the envy of the country. Quebec are adding new sales taxes, and new personal taxes to try to get a handle on its 130 billion dollar deficit. We are getting schools, hospitals, roads, ferrys, and tax cuts...yet these guys give it the thumbs down. Great job there Yvonne, and Lorraine. I hope they have jobs lined up for after the next election.
-
- DB
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:41:15
Tumbs down to the budget, tumbs down to no spending, here's a comment for you make up your d%&m mind what you want or do you have a mind to use.
-
- proud nflder
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:31
I am starting to wonder if Yvonne Jones knows whats shes at. Wasn't she in government some time ago where was she then .Its good to have her in oppostion because thats where she belongs .The people at the helm of Government are doing it right for this problem ad nobody is going to push them around .keep up the good work
-
- Frank M
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:30
After the next general election, there will be 5 opposition members drawing a lucrative MHA pension.
They really do not deserve it. -
- Don
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:27:45
Now pray tell what else would you expect from those two ---- something intelligent ?????
-
- Nasty
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:27:36
Lorraine Michael, Yvonne Jones and Danny Williams are nothing more then crooks. Wake up people, not one of them are out to help you. They are out to pad their retirement and nothing more. The sooner the old school is expelled the better off we all will be.
-
- b
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:19:02
Darren from NL, you hit the nail on the head. Many small outport communities are fast becoming retirement communities simply because young people are choosing to move to larger centers for jobs and ammenities. It makes little sense to set up every community with it's own schools and the like when most have no viable future.
Jones and Michaels are just shilling to get votes when they get on with this nonsense. -
- Newfie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:17:52
Danny The Outport Killer Williams has done it again. He gives to the rich in tax cuts, bails out corporations (Kruger), and throws a few scrapes to his faithful.
When are we going to learn? Hopefully in 2011, but I can't believe the fools who believe Danny is the best will be able to see past his deceit and dishonest tones in time for that to happen.
But Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are smart, we take care of people. Danny takes care of the Rich and the Powerful. Not a Newfoundland trait, must be a Newfoundland Traitor. -
- Another Tory Shill
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:17
I agree. What is the opposition doing opposing? They should shut up.
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