On consultation (V)

Paul Davis, March 17, 2015:

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

 

Well, last year government delivered its Budget on March 27.  The year before that it was March 26, but this year the Premier has not said when he will introduce his Budget.

 

I ask the Premier: When will this year's Budget be introduced to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?

 

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

 

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

 

PREMIER DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

 

I thank the hon. member for his question on this.  We know that it is on the minds of people.  The Minister of Finance has said repeatedly that we would not be bringing down our Budget until after the federal government brings down their budget, which we do not have an exact date now but we know it is expected to be some time in the first or second week of April.  Following that time we will bring down the provincial Budget.

 

In recent weeks, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance and other ministers in our government have been travelling throughout Newfoundland and Labrador consulting with the public, consulting with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.  We have been encouraging people to participate in the consultative process, either in person or online, and we have been asking people to share their views on the Budget process that we are currently undertaking.

 

I can tell you it is a comprehensive process that has been undertaken, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to receiving and presenting that Budget in April.