N.L. promises new public health act aiming to lower obesity rates, medical costs

But the speech puts any big spending plans into dismal financial context.

“Quite simply, we must continue to do better with less and build on the work that we have undertaken over the past two years,” Fagan read.

“The challenges are real and we must make every fiscal decision by balancing the provision of critical programs, services and infrastructure that our residents need and deserve with the requirement to eliminate our deficits, return to surplus and pay down our debt.”

The province of about 529,000 people is now expecting a deficit of $852-million this fiscal year, up from $778-million predicted in last April’s budget. A fall fiscal update indicated net debt is approaching a historic high of almost $14.7 billion.

The next budget is March 27.

Finance Minister Tom Osborne has said the increased shortfall is largely due to lower offshore oil royalties. By last fall they had dropped $147-million from budget projections thanks to deflated prices and higher exchange rates. Recently higher values for Brent crude oil are expected to slightly brighten a bleak fiscal outlook.

The throne speech also cites new efforts to build the economy and curb population decline.

It says the provincial immigration nominee program will launch new international entrepreneur and international graduate entrepreneur categories to attract newcomers.

“Increasing the province’s population through immigration not only benefits us economically, but also strengthens us socially and culturally,” Fagan read.

The speech also says the governing Liberals will review the province’s environmental assessment process to offer certainty for industry while also protecting the environment.

The province wants to accelerate offshore oil production to fill what it says will be ongoing demand for fossil fuels as the renewable energy sector grows.

Opposition Leader Paul Davis, the former Progressive Conservative premier, said high taxes since the Liberals took power in 2015 are killing economic prospects as younger families leave.

“The most significant story in our province right now is a story of loss,” he said in the legislature. “We’ve lost hope that there’s a plan for better things to come.”

Interim NDP Leader Lorraine Michael called it a disappointing “stay-the-course” speech. She especially seized on the notion that Newfoundland and Labrador must continue to do better with less.

“I just find that, Mr. Speaker, such a weak, defeatist attitude,” she said.

“What is the plan we can work on together to build our economy — an economy that’s not there just to make money for business, but an economy that’s there to take care of our people?”

Premier Dwight Ball lashed back, accusing his rivals of exaggerated “doom and gloom.”

Ball said the Tory government mismanaged the province’s sudden wealth from an offshore oil boom that lasted most of a decade before prices slid in 2014, leaving its finances in shambles. Expenses still haven’t been brought in line with lower revenues, however.

A Conference Board of Canada economist recently described overspending in the province as “a ticking time bomb.”

Follow @suebailey on Twitter.

Sue Bailey, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

N.L. promises new public health act aiming to lower obesity rates, medical costs

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