Deep cuts to government services may be coming, Tories warn
Opposition says Liberals misled voters as election campaign plan to cut $250M balloons to $600M
The Opposition Progressive Conservatives are accusing the Liberal government of misleading voters about their plans to cut government services.
The Liberals talked about cutting "at least $250 million" during the provincial election campaign last fall, but are now saying they need to cut or raise $600 million.
"Do I hear $250 million? Who'll give me $250?" MacDonald said in the legislature. "Who'll give me $400 million? I have 400. Now who'll make it five or six [hundred million]?"
But all joking aside, the latest figure for proposed cuts has prompted MacDonald and other Opposition members to raise the spectre of deep cuts to government programs.
"How many hospitals and schools will be shut down? How many taxes will be raised, and how high?" asked MacDonald.
Tory MLA Ross Wetmore called on the Liberals to halt any school closures, at least until the government comes out with its promised 10-year education plan.
Wetmore's riding includes Coles Island, where a small community school is being studied for closure.
Everything is on the table. That includes looking at inefficient schools, [and] looking at health care.- Victor Boudreau, minister in charge of strategic review
The Anglophone West School District is following policy 409, which requires local consultations for a year. But Wetmore contends that's still moving too fast.
"Stop 409 closures until we have a plan," he told the legislature.
Another Tory MLA, Madeleine Dubé, raised concerns about talk of turning small hospitals into nursing homes.
She says the previous Progressive Conservative government was working on a plan to care for more seniors in the homes, but the Liberals have abandoned that plan
"We implemented $7 million to try to start the movement, and there was no investment. They stopped everything," she said.
'Situation has worsened a lot'
Victor Boudreau, the minister overseeing the government's strategic review, says "the situation has worsened a lot" since the election campaign, when the Liberals talked about cutting $250 million.
He says $400 million of the new $600 million target represents the provincial deficit, while $200 million is cuts needed so the Liberals have the money to pay for their promises.
Boudreau says he won't necessarily cut the full amount. He may also opt to increase some taxes and fees.
"Everything is on the table," he said. "That includes looking at inefficient schools, [and] looking at health care."
The toughest decisions, however, likely won't be announced until next year's budget, Boudreau said.