BUDGET PLAN1997 Economic PerformanceMr. Speaker, economic performance in 1997 was better than expected. Real GDP declined by 1.3%, rather than the 2.7% forecast at budget. Improved performance can be attributed to:
At the end of 1997, year-over-year employment had increased 4.8%, from 182,000 people to 190,800. Our unemployment rate dropped 2.8 percentage points year-over-year. While the unemployment numbers are still far too high, this is significant progress. All these statistics indicate that our economic prospects are improving. Economic Outlook Mr. Speaker, we can look to the future with optimism. Resource development spending will continue. Manufacturing and exports of oil and fish products will increase. We forecast that the economy will grow by between 4 and 4.5% in real terms this year. This is in line with third-party forecasts. Strong economic growth will continue in 1999 due to major investments in the Voiseys Bay and Terra Nova projects, as well as increased oil production at Hibernia.
We welcome this turn of events. These will be the first years of significant growth after several years of economic decline. The 1990s have been difficult years for Newfoundland and Labrador. The effects of the groundfish moratorium and the recession of 1991-1992 are still being felt in our economy. However, while provincial GDP will increase substantially, Government revenues will not grow at the same rate. We must, therefore, keep on track with continued fiscal restraint and prudent management of public finances if we are to attain our goals of providing efficient services, reducing taxes, and stimulating economic growth. Fiscal Outlook During the election campaign of 1996, we said in our Platform:
Mr. Speaker, as a result, peoples expectations of Government are also increasing. Let me repeat: while GDP growth will be strong over the next few years, provincial government revenues will not grow at the same pace. Mineral and oil tax regimes provide for a payback period which allows project owners to recover their capital costs from production revenue. While developers are recovering their capital costs, Governments tax and royalty collections are low. Once the payback period is over, provincial resource royalties will rise as a share of project revenues. However, as revenues increase, equalization transfers from the federal government decrease. On average, as much as 84 cents of every revenue dollar received by the provincial government will be deducted from equalization transfers. This will diminish the money available to finance provincial programs or to reduce taxes.] Therefore, we must resist demands for new spending we cannot afford, unless we are prepared to increase taxes, lay off employees, or borrow more money. Our approach will be to continue to manage our finances prudently, so that the benefits of Hibernia, Voiseys Bay, the Churchill River, and other developments can be used to reduce taxes, pay down debt, and improve our health, education and other essential services.
Public Service Government recently negotiated a 7 % pay increase over 39 months with several of our public sector unions. This is the maximum that the publics finances can afford at this time. To those members of the public service who believe that Government can afford more than it is offering, let me be clear: It is the peoples finances we are managing. It is the peoples bank account. A 7% increase is fair. A 7% increase is all we can afford. There is no more money. We will not increase taxes. We will not cut services. We will not borrow money to give a larger increase than Government can afford at this time. Public Sector Pensions Mr. Speaker, let us also consider our pension plans. The unfunded liability of our public sector pensions represents a substantial portion of the accumulated total debt of the Province. The magnitude of the unfunded liability threatens the long-term viability of our pension plans, as well as the benefits pensioners expect to receive. We have taken steps to address unfunded liabilities in some plans, with the cooperation and support of most public sector employees. Without the full cooperation of all employees, we cannot finish the task. Government is accepting its share of the unfunded liability. Employees must also accept their full and fair share. Our three year fiscal plan makes provision for substantial payments to reduce the unfunded liability. We will continue making these payments until our obligation is fulfilled. Teachers Pension Plan Teachers have a separate pension plan that has an unfunded liability of $1.6 billion. Unless something is done, the teachers plan will require deficiency payments of $121 million in 2004, increasing each year thereafter. This money cannot, and should not, be found from cuts to services or increased taxes to fund benefits that teachers themselves have not paid for. It is in the best interest of teachers to work with Government on a fair and equitable solution to this problem. It is a joint responsibility, not solely that of Government and taxpayers. We stand ready to make the investment in the Teachers Pension Plan. This is a problem that will not go away. MHA Pensions Members on both sides of the House recognize that pension arrangements for Members of the House of Assembly need to be reformed. Government will be introducing appropriate changes to that plan during this Session. Effective immediately, the following measures will be implemented for all Members of the House of Assembly:
As is the case with all other plans, MHAs are being asked to share in the solution. Tax Reform Mr. Speaker, we recognize that Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the highest taxed jurisdictions in North America. This must change. Last year, we introduced the HST, which reduced the combined federal-provincial sales tax from 19.84% to 15%. This was the single largest tax cut in our Provinces history. The recent federal budget provided Canadians with personal income tax relief in several areas. Since provincial income tax is calculated as a percentage of the federal tax, these new reductions will lower personal income taxes by more than $30 million, of which $12.5 million comes from provincial revenues. We are pleased with and support these tax reductions. We are also concerned that the payroll tax is a disincentive to employment. In principle, we support its elimination over time, but fiscal circumstances make it impossible to surrender the $46 million of net revenue that it generates. However, we are committed to making first steps.
Currently, the first $100,000 of annual payroll costs are exempt from the Provinces
payroll tax. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to announce that, effective for the 1998
taxation year, the exemption will be raised to $120,000. This measure will benefit all
businesses in the Province, particularly small business operators. In excess of 225 small
businesses will be removed from the tax rolls and approximately $1 million will be put
back into the hands of the business community. |