August 18, 1999
(Executive Council)

Premier announces tax regime consultations

Premier Brian Tobin today announced that the Advisory Council on the Economy and Technology (ACET) will commence public consultations on the province's tax regime next week in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The Premier also released an information document to assist those who wish to participate in the consultation process to be better able to provide input.

"The province is experiencing a significant period of economic growth and increased employment. Now is an appropriate time to examine the tax burden on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with a view to providing a climate which promotes continued growth," noted Premier Tobin. "At the same time, we must do so in a manner which ensures government can continue to provide an appropriate level of services to the people of the province."

"Our goal is to reduce personal income tax, but we await the report of the Council to evaluate the public's views on the manner and amount of tax reductions," said the Premier.

Consultations will begin in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on August 26, Labrador City on August 30 and St. Anthony on September 1. The consultations will continue into September with meetings in: Stephenville, Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Marystown, Clarenville, Harbour Grace, Harbour Breton, and St. John's.

The Premier noted that once the consultation process concludes the Advisory Council will report to government and this, combined with analysis by the Department of Finance, will form the basis of changes to the province's tax regime.

"Tax reductions are in the forefront of everyone's minds these days. I spent much of my recent meetings with provincial and territorial leaders emphasizing the need for the federal government to balance its support in areas such as health care and education to meet the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with the necessity for affordable federal tax reductions," said the Premier.

Changes to the province's tax regime are expected to be announced in the 2000 Budget next spring.

Media contact: Heidi Bonnell, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3564.

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TAX REVIEW CONSULTATION PROCESS
SCHEDULE

1. HAPPY VALLEY - GOOSE BAY
   Date:  Thursday, August 26, 1999
   Time:  10:00 a.m.
   Location:  Aurora Hotel
   Conference Room Area
   

2. LABRADOR CITY
   Date: Monday, August 30, 1999
   Time: 10:00 a.m.
   Location: Two Seasons Inn
   Conference Rooms 2 & 3
   

3. ST. ANTHONY
   Date: Wednesday, September 1, 1999
   Time: 10:00 a.m.
   Location: Lions Club
   

4. CORNER BROOK
   Date: Monday, September 20, 1999
   Time: 10:00 a.m.
   Location: To be Announced
   

5. STEPHENVILLE
   Date: Tuesday, September 21, 1999
   Time: 10:00 a.m.
   Location: To be Announced
   

6. HARBOUR BRETON
   Date: Wednesday, September 22, 1999
   Time: 10:00 a.m.
   Location: To be Announced
   

7. GANDER
   Date: Thursday, September 23, 1999
   Time: 10:00 a.m.
   Location: To be Announced
   

8. GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR
   Date: Friday, September 24, 1999
   Time: To Be Announced
   Location: To Be Announced
   

9. CLARENVILLE (Team A)
   Date: Tuesday, September 28, 1999
   Time: 10:00 a.m.
   Location: To be Announced
   

10. MARYSTOWN (Team A)
    Date: Monday, September 27, 1999
    Time: 10:00 a.m.
    Location: To be Announced
    

11. HARBOUR GRACE (Team B)
    Date: Monday, September 27, 1999
    Time: 10:00 a.m.
    Location: To be Announced
    

12. ST. JOHN'S (Team B)
    Date: Tuesday, September 28, 1999
    Time: 10:00 a.m.
    Location: To be Announced

1999 08 18         9:50 a.m.