Questions for the CARE-Sponsored, Newfoundland and Labrador

State of
NL
Economy

Expenditu
re
Managem
ent

Leadershi
p Debate
Oct. 14,
2015

Income
Distributi
on

Growth &
Innovatio
n

Leadership Debate 2015

Question 1: Please describe your perception of Newfoundland and
Labradors economy as it is today; please explain how you expect the
economy to change over the next five years under your leadership; please
indicate what specific policies you would implement to enhance the positive
aspects of your vision for the economy and discuss whether your policies
could have negative short-run impacts.
Question 2: The number of tax filers with after-tax income in excess of
$200,000 has increased by 300% between 2003 and 2012 (CANSIM 1110043), and as Newfoundland and Labrador has become more prosperous, the
provincial government has attempted to ensure that those vulnerable to
poverty achieve higher living standards too. To this end, the province has
made significant investments in its Poverty Reduction Strategy. Has this
strategy been successful, is there a widening gap between the economic
winners and losers in Newfoundland and Labrador and if so, what specific
policies would you implement to improve this situation for current and future
generations?
Question 3: Newfoundland and Labrador has always been a resourcedependent economy, with the specific type of dependence evolving from
renewable to non-renewable resources to a likely mix of both renewable and
non-renewable resources in the future. Some people have argued that our

economy should be less dependent on oil and gas and more diversified. Can
you please give us your views on whether greater diversification is needed?
If you support greater diversification, what specific policies would you
implement to diversify the economy and what role do you envision for
education and R&D?
Question 4: Nearly 50% of the most recent provincial budget was allocated
to healthcare and education. As well, recent CIHI data indicate that per
capita expenditures in Newfoundland and Labrador on healthcare have
grown faster than in any other province, and, according to the Auditor
General, the provinces per capita expenditures have exceeded the national
average by approximately 45%. It appears that public sector expenditures in
Newfoundland and Labrador are unsustainable. Would you agree with this
characterization and, if so, how do you plan to deal with this situation? If
part of your solution is to raise revenues, please outline where these
revenues would come from and how your policies to increase revenues would
affect the average voter? Does your plan involve real cuts to healthcare and
post-secondary education and, if not, which areas would you cut? Please be
specific.