The Provincial Government today launched its pre-budget consultations for Budget 2020. This year’s consultation theme is “A Balanced Approach,” and includes an overview of government’s fiscal approach, which is characterized by a focus on cost control, efficiencies and savings that grow over time. Residents can provide feedback on ways to reduce spending and/or increase revenues, and on priority areas for Budget 2020 decisions.

This year’s consultations will occur in two phases. In Phase One, members of the public and industry stakeholders can provide feedback through several channels:

• Starting today, online consultations are open to everyone at engagenl.ca  ;
• There will be five regional in-person consultation sessions hosted by provincial Cabinet Ministers starting on January 22. The schedule of in-person sessions is available in the backgrounder below.
• Any stakeholder wishing to provide a more detailed submission is encouraged to submit a written submission by email at Budget2020@gov.nl.ca.

In Phase Two, government will publish all input from the first phase, and will seek collaboration with all MHAs:

• Opposition Parties and Independent MHAs will be invited to submit written submissions by February 7;
• Groups will be invited to in-person meetings with the Minister of Finance during the week of February 10 to discuss the ideas in their submissions.

The first phase will run from January 8 to 31, while the second phase will run from February 3 to 14.

Quote
“Our balanced approach has involved finding efficiencies and putting in place savings programs that grow over time. While our progress to date is undeniable, the challenges we have identified have put pressure on our ability to return to surplus by 2022-23. I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to contribute to the discussion on how we can overcome the challenges we face to remain on track for fiscal balance.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board

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Learn more
Online 2020 Pre-Budget Consultations

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Media contact
Marc Budgell
Finance
709-729-2477, 689-0430
marcbudgell@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Schedule of In-Person Public Consultation Sessions