Mr. Speaker, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want government to spend their money in ways that make sense to them and mirror their values. To do that, government’s deficit reduction plan must be guided by their priorities.

• First, they want us to focus on reducing costs by doing things better, not by raising income taxes or by cutting services that they need and that reflect their core values.
  

• Second, they want to make sure we continue to have strong economic growth and job creation.
  

• Third, they want people treated fairly and equitably.
  

• Fourth, they want decisions made openly and performance results reported accountably in accordance with measurable standards.
  

• And fifth, they want to make sure the legacy we leave our children is fiscal stability and sustainability, not an unmanageable burden of debt.

With these priorities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as our guide, we have produced a budget strategy that will pull the province’s finances back from the brink and protect the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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