NLIS 5
November 22, 2005
(Executive Council)
 

The following statement was issued today by Tom Marshall, Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Earlier today, Memorial University�s Harris Centre released a report on federal government presence in Newfoundland and Labrador. The report provides independent confirmation of the positions this government has advanced with the federal government on this issue. While I encourage members to review the report in full, I wish to highlight a few of the report�s findings.

With respect to federal employment, the report confirms that Newfoundland and Labrador has taken more than its fair share of reductions. Over the study period, 1981 to 2004, federal employment in this province declined by 25 per cent, compared to a five per cent drop nationally. In August of this year, the Minister of Finance released data which focused on the period between 1990 and 2004. During this period, federal employment in this province declined by 39 per cent, compared to a decrease of 18 per cent across all provinces. As my honourable colleague rightly pointed out, had this province experienced an 18 per cent decline, there would be an additional 2,774 people working in our province today. It is important to note that this disturbing decline came at a time when our economy was struggling as a result of the ground fish stock collapse.

The report�s findings on federal executive positions in the province also warrant special mention. Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest number of these positions across all provinces over the period 1997 to 2004 and the province�s share of federal executives was substantially less than its share of the national population. Nova Scotia, with less than twice the population of Newfoundland and Labrador, has four times as many executive positions. PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador have almost the same number of executive positions, notwithstanding that Newfoundland and Labrador has four times the population.

Regrettably the trends identified by these numbers continue to be reflected in decisions by the federal government. This province has stood united against federal decisions such as the removal of forecasting services from the Gander Weather Office and the impending closure of the Public Service Commission of Canada�s provincial office. Faced with an independent confirmation of our concerns, it is clear the federal government must begin to rebuild its presence in this province. This government stands ready to work cooperatively with the federal government to increase federal presence in ways that serve the interests of both Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.

On behalf of government, I would like to thank the Harris Centre for undertaking an independent study of this critically important issue.

2005 11 22                                  2:00 p.m.


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