Paul Davis doesn't rule out more cuts to public service

Newfoundland and Labrador's public service could shrink even more as the provincial government continues to look for efficiencies throughout government.

Premier Paul Davis said he's not ruling out cutting more jobs through attrition, on top of the 1,420 positions announced prior to the budget and the 180 and 230 full-time equivalent positions lost through merging administrative duties at four provincial health boards.

Last week, the government revealed job cuts, fee hikes and tax jumps in its annual budget, with a projected $1.01-billion deficit.

People have a right to know- Dwight Ball, Liberal Leader

"We are going to try to make efforts to find efficiencies in government at any chance we can," said Davis, in response to a question by Liberal Leader Dwight Ball in the House of Assembly Tuesday.

"If we can find a way to create more effective and efficient delivery of services for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, we are going to do that. That is our responsibility as a government."

Some roles throughout the public sector will always be filled, said Davis, who added he couldn't predict which sectors could see job losses.

​Ball, meanwhile, said he wants Davis to be more clear on which positions could be cut. 

"If they have a plan for attrition or whatever the plan is to change services and delivery of health care in our province, or any other service, they should at least disclose this to the people of this province," Ball told reporters.

"People have a right to know."