Opposition seeking viewpoints

Opposition Leader James Aylward says government’s pre-budget consultation process should be more comprehensive and inclusive so he has announced plans for a series of pre-budget consultations by the Opposition.

“Right now we have a 30 day budget consultation period for public comment on how government should spend close to $2 billion annually on the needs of Islanders in operating and capital budgets,” said Aylward in a recent news release.

“I think there is room to improve this model so that the viewpoints of Islanders are heard when it comes to determining the spending priorities for the province.”

He said that the current budget consultation process includes three daytime meetings by appointment and an online comment feature, adding “there is currently no public consultations for development of the province’s capital budget, which this year will see more than $133 million invested in public infrastructure.”

He said in the news release that the official Opposition will be hosting public consultations on the budget and taxpayer priorities throughout the winter months in advance of the spring sitting of the legislature. The consultations will include public town hall meetings held on evenings and weekends, both written and electronic submissions, stakeholder meetings and online engagement.

“I feel that adopting a more comprehensive and inclusive budget consultation process is one of many steps that can be taken to make our government more responsive, more transparent and more accountable.”