Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to share with all Members the comments in regard to the budget that I’ve been hearing from constituents. Not many are positive, unfortunately.
My constituents are asking for justification in public to explain the job reductions, to show why certain positions have been targeted. Most feel that the departments and/or managers did not do any analysis prior to determining which positions should go. Some decisions seemed to be based on a narrow view of personal opinion. Some used the eeny, meeny miny, moe method. Others took advantage of the opportunity presented by the reduction exercise to rid their department or section of employees that they think — that they think, Mr. Speaker — are underperforming. All of these cases indicate no analysis, no forethought, no planning. I think we can coin a new term: the “instant decision.”
Some people applaud the government for taking action to be more efficient and to match expenses to revenue. They agree, for instance, that the Arctic Tern facility costs too much for too few inmates.
Many people question the numbers and comparisons in the budget. They find it hard to understand how we can be in such poor financial shape in such a short time. They see the government’s comparisons of the 2007–2008 budget figures to the 2008–2009 budget figures as comparing apples to oranges.
Sometimes the Main Estimates from ’07–08 are used; sometimes the Revised Main Estimates from ’07–08 are used. How can our residents get a true picture from that?
Several people have commented to me that if the financial picture is as bad as the Finance Minister says, why are we investing in new things? They advise us to get our house in order first and then invest.
They ask about the estimated surplus for the last fiscal year. It’s now expected to be about $25 million more than budgeted. We will likely have a surplus of $69 million instead of $44 million. What plans are in place for the unexpected surplus? Last but not least, they cite a lack of consideration for the environment in this budget. It’s not only MLAs on this side of the House who are having difficulties swallowing this budget as presented. Many of the NWT residents are frustrated as well. They don’t see evidence of comprehensive planning in the budget and they don’t feel that there was adequate consultation. I can only agree.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
