N.L. government's report card on Way Forward plan boasts $45 million in savings

The Newfoundland and Labrador government's report card on the first six months of Premier Dwight Ball's The Way Forward plan boasts millions of dollars of savings and pledges to create jobs with the second phase of the strategy.

The Way Forward is the name of the Ball government's long-term economic strategy. Phase 1 was a six-month plan to reduce government costs.

At a press conference Monday, Ball said reviews show a $45-million savings, achieved through measures such as reducing leased real estate and pursuing zero-based budgeting — which means any expense must be justified before a department receives funds. 

For the second phase of The Way Forward, which is meant to focus on job creation and growth, Ball said the provincial government wants to create 14,000 person-years of employment in tourism, aquaculture and forestry.

In pursuing that goal, Ball said government will make it easier for tradespeople to access online training, provide more loans and education for youth, women and immigrants who want to start businesses, and provide assistance to specific growth industries.

Mum on more public service cuts

Ball's talk of creating those private-sector jobs comes just a month after his government cut 300 management positions in the province's public service. 

When pressed on whether the April 6 budget will include cuts to front-line public servants, Ball wouldn't confirm or deny, and instead said the focus for now is just on the management positions.

"We're not going to just go in there and just start arbitrarily putting check marks or taking people out of positions," he said. "We look forward to working with our front line workers and seeing what shared opportunities we can find within the public sector."

Need to tackle spending, debt

Richard Alexander, executive director of the NL Employers' Council, said there were some promising aspects of Ball's update.

However, he said government needs to tackle its debt and rein in spending if it is to truly put the province on the right footing economically.

"It will all mean nothing if government can't get its fiscal house in order," he told reporters after the press conference.

"Everything is riding on this budget. If they hit their targets, that's going to send a message to the business community and to the economy that this government is serious about dealing with this fiscal problem."