Finance
January 20, 2014
Sound Fiscal Management and Responsible Decisions Continued
Focus for Upcoming Budget
Public Input Requested Through Pre-Budget Consultations
The Provincial Government is pleased to announce that province-wide pre-budget consultation sessions will start next week. All interested stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to provide input on priorities for Budget 2014.
“As we outlined in last year’s budget and again in the Fall Financial Update, our province is facing a significant deficit for Budget 2014. This means that difficult decisions will need to be made in order to effectively manage our spending while maintaining the programs and services that are most important to people. We are asking the public to provide their input again this year to assist us in assessing priority areas, and we welcome ideas on how we can create efficiencies.”
- The Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board
Sessions will begin on January 27 and will be held in 11 locations across the province. A complete schedule for the sessions is provided in the backgrounder below. Minister Marshall will attend a number of sessions, while others will be attended by the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Service NL; the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education; the Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs; the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice; the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Transportation and Works; the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, and the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services.
In an effort to strengthen public engagement, this year interactive polling technology will be used at the public sessions to solicit feedback from attendees on a number of key questions. This will be in addition to the’ traditional format where individuals are invited to present to the Minister. Residents of the province are encouraged to visit the Department of Finance website (www.gov.nl.ca/fin), beginning on January 27, to use a new online budget simulator through which individuals can learn more about the budget process. The online educational tool will allow individuals to change budget amounts (revenues and expenditures) to determine how they would set the budget and how their changes would impact the budget balance (surplus or deficit). The site will include an online form which will enable users to submit their feedback on budget priorities to the Department of Finance.
Those who would like to participate in a pre-budget meeting are requested to register at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting time by phoning 709-729-2944 or by emailing budget@gov.nl.ca. Written submissions can continue to be made via mail to: Minister of Finance, c/o Pre-Budget 2014, Department of Finance, P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J6. Submissions may also be emailed to budgetsubmissions@gov.nl.ca or faxed to 709-729-2070.
Through sound fiscal management and responsible decisions, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is strengthening the business environment, encouraging the development of innovative industries, and building a vibrant economy.
QUICK FACTS
- Pre-Budget consultations will begin on January 27, 2014, and will take place in 11 locations across the province.
- In an effort to strengthen public engagement, the goal of this year’s sessions is to engage those in attendance through the use of interactive polling technology to seek their feedback on a number of key questions. This will be in addition to the traditional format of the pre-budget consultations where individuals are invited to present to the Minister.
- Residents of the province are encouraged to visit the Department of Finance website and to use a new online budget simulator and to submit an online feedback form.
- Individuals are asked to register at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting time by phoning 709-729-2944 or by emailing budget@gov.nl.ca.
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Finance
709-729-6830, 693-1865
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca
Schedule for 2014 Pre-Budget Consultations
January 27-February 10
| Date | Location | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, January 27 | Stephenville (Minister Marshall) | Days Inn | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
| Monday, January 27 | Corner Brook (Minister Marshall) | Glynmill Inn | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, January 28 | St. John’s (Minister Marshall and Minister Crummell) | Comfort Inn | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Friday, January 31 | Gander (Minister O’Brien) | Gander Hotel | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
| Friday, January 31 | Grand Falls-Windsor (Minister Sullivan) | Mount Peyton | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Monday, February 3 | Labrador West (Minister McGrath) | Council Chambers | 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday, February 4 | Happy Valley-Goose Bay (Minister McGrath) | Labrador Inn | 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, February 5 | Marystown (Minister Jackman and Minister King) | Braxton Suites | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. |
| Wednesday, February 5 | Clarenville (Minister King) | Clarenville Inn | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Friday, February 7 | Springdale (Minister Marshall) | Riverwood Inn | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
| Monday, February 10 | St. Anthony (Minister Kent) | Haven Inn | 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
2014 01 20 1:10 p.m.