Newfoundland and Labrador Budget Consultation 2015

Awareness of Portion of Revenue From Oil
59.7 per cent of people did not know a significant amount of provincial revenues came from oil.
Yes: 40.3 per cent
No: 59.7 per cent

Awareness of Oil Price Decrease
When asked, 91.8 per cent of respondents knew the price of Oil had decreased so much in the past few months.
Yes: 91.8 per cent
No: 8.2 per cent

People are Concerned About the Budgetary Shortfall
85.1 per cent were very or somewhat concerned that there will be in excess of $1 billion less to spend on programs and services for next year's budget.

68.6 percent identified one or more options for increased taxation
When asked about options for increased taxation, 68.6 per cent of respondents selected one or more of the options provided, 27.7 per cent thought Government should not increase taxes,  and 3.7 per cent said they didn't know.
Increase Provincial Sales Tax was selected by 35 per cent
Increase All Personal Income Tax Levels was selected by 28.2 per cent
Increase Personal Income Tax for Incomes above a certain Level was selected by 82.3 per cent
Increase the Tax on Gas was selected by 26.4 per cent

How comfortable were people with borrowing?
55.4 per cent were very or somewhat comfortable with borrowing.
- 8.4 per cent - were very comfortable
- 47.0 per cent - were somewhat comfortable
- 16.6 per cent - not at all comfortable
- 24.3 per cent - were not very comfortable

Are People in Favour of Reducing the Public Service if This Reduces Services Provided?
People were asked: Knowing that reducing the size of the public service could negatively impact the delivery of programs and services, would you be in favour of this?
- 70.0 per cent - No
- 7.7 per cent - I Don't Know
- 22.3 per cent - Yes

People were asked if government were to reduce the size of the public service to help deal with the budget shortfall, which approach they felt would be the best option.
85.4 per cent Thought attrition would have to be a factor in reducing the size of the public service.
- 54.5 per cent selected Attrition
- 30.9 per cent selected Layoffs and Attrition
- 10.6 per cent selected I Don't Know
- 4.0 per cent selected Layoffs

74.0 per cent thought some or all programs or services should be examined for potential cuts
- 38.6 per cent - Identified Specific Programs for Cuts
- 24.8 per cent - Nothing Should Be Cut
- 1.2 per cent - Don't Know
- 35.4 per cent - Everything Should be Examined

With the 38.6 that selected specific programs
- 66.7 per cent selected Funding to Municipalities
- 41.7 per cent selected Funding to University and Colleges
- 37.8 per cent selected Building Hospitals and Schools
- 22.4 per cent selected Building/Fixing Roads and Bridges
- 13.5 per cent selected Education (K-12)
- 9.0 per cent selected Healthcare

The survey was carried out by the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency (NLSA) of the Economics and Statistics Branch of the Department of Finance under the authority of the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency Act which provides the legal authority to collect the data and guarantees privacy regarding individual responses.

A random, probability based sample of 404 respondents was used and the results are accurate within ±4.9%, 19 times out of 20 (95% confidence level).

Data Source: Economics and Statistics Branch, Department of Finance