Executive Council
March 23, 2016

Engaging Newfoundlanders and Labradorians

Provincial Government Releases What We Are Hearing Document

The Provincial Government today released a What We Are Hearing document that is a themed summary of the many insights, ideas and suggestions received from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the Government Renewal Initiative public engagement to date.

�The release today of the What We Are Hearing document fulfills a commitment we made in January when we first launched the Government Renewal Initiative. To address our unprecedented financial situation, the people of our province have responded in an unprecedented way. To date more than 1,000 people have participated in 26 sessions. There have been almost 30,000 users on the Dialogue App and over 700 submissions have been received by email, phone, mail, and fax. I offer my sincere thanks to all those who have taken the time to participate. Your ideas and suggestions will inform government as we map our financial future.�
- The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement

Newfoundland and Labrador is facing a fiscal situation that left unchecked, could have serious implications for all communities. Launched in January 2016, the Government Renewal Initiative is aimed at identifying measures for government to increase revenues, reduce expenditures, be more efficient and assess how it delivers services. The What We Are Hearing document released today is a summary document, not a decision document. The Provincial Government�s decisions and actions will be implemented through Budget 2016, the mid-year fiscal update and future budgets.

The What We Are Hearing document provides valuable insight on the needs of the people of the province and assists government in addressing the province�s fiscal challenges. Some of the emerging themes include: Regionalization; Rural Considerations; Use of Technology; Public Sector; Privatization/Asset Sale; Energy; Economic Diversification; Fees; Taxes, Health Care Reform and Income Support.

The What We Are Hearing document is available at www.gov.nl.ca/ourfiscalfuture/

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government has released a What We Are Hearing document on the Government Renewal Initiative, available at www.gov.nl.ca/ourfiscalfuture/ 
• The document provides an overview of the many insights, ideas and suggestions received from citizens in the public engagement to date.
• Newfoundland and Labrador is facing a fiscal situation that left unchecked, could have serious implications for all communities.
• Launched in January 2016, the Government Renewal Initiative is aimed at identifying measures for government to increase revenues, reduce expenditures, be more efficient and assess how it delivers services.

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Media contact:

Kip Bonnell
Media Relations Manager
Office of Public Engagement
709-729-1221, 687-9081
kbonnell@gov.nl.ca

2016 03 23                             3:20 p.m.