Letter: The cuts that have to be made are obvious

Feeling I might have something to offer in the way of suggestion, I navigate my way to the pre-budget public engagement government web page. Welcome! There’s Honorable Tom Osborne looking like a deer in the headlights, seeking ways to reduce spending and meet fiscal responsibility as promised in the last election.

Two years into their mandate, they still can’t bring themselves to put on big-boy pants and do what needs to be done. Looking at the questionnaire is like looking at a grade school open-book test.

The answer they seek is so blatant. The bloated civil service and redundant boards all need to go. Government should be out of the post-secondary school business (MUN, CNA) as well as the recreation business (Marble Mountain). As referenced, the city of Hamilton, with a population base similar to Newfoundland and Labrador, has three hospitals as opposed to 15. One hospital board as opposed to four hospital authorities.

As with all business — and this province is a business — in order to balance a budget, if revenue doesn’t increase to offset expenditures, bankruptcy is the result.

Any board or department which has a duplicate federal or provincial overlap should be eliminated immediately — in other words, Jobs NL and Service Canada, turn four health authorities into make one.

Painful as it may be, a serious reduction of the public service is inevitable. As with all business — and this province is a business — in order to balance a budget, if revenue doesn’t increase to offset expenditures, bankruptcy is the result. Higher taxes only reduce investment and force people to leave for greener pastures. That is defeatist, so reducing expenditures is the only sane option.

When the Dominion Steel Corporation (DOSCO) mine closed in April 1966, the people of Bell Island had to resolve their own issues. Approximately 10,000 people — all families, most with small children — had to find new homes and employment elsewhere on their own. This also happened in other communities in 1992 with the cod moratorium, although assistance was available to most.

Australia has been doing long-distance education for decades with School of the Air and Flying Doctor providing medical services to remote areas. It is not productive to just tear apart the existing system without suggesting viable solutions. Hospitals and some clinics should be closed and a viable air ambulance and fly-in medical system put in place to serve remote areas. Fewer doctors, medical personnel and infrastructure savings are achievable. With broadband internet expanding as just announced, education remotely is very viable. Fewer teachers, schools and lower infrastructure costs are achievable.

When the largest union is promised no layoffs and a wage freeze, you need to ask for input and solutions? The best solution is for you to find a new job. Stop trying to make everybody happy. It isn’t possible here.

Better use and a reassignment of resources is required. Time to start with socks pulled up and sleeves raised to get the job needed done. No more excuses.

Dave Anderson

Bay Roberts