Size of deficit concerns chamber

The size of the provincial deficit continues to be a major concern for the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber representatives presented their concerns to Wes Sheridan, P.E.I. minister of finance and municipal affairs, at pre-budget meetings in Charlottetown earlier this month.

The chamber focused its 2013 pre-budget submission on three major themes, including the province reaching fiscal sustainability, health care and education.

In its pre-budget submission, the chamber called on the province to address the growing debt.

The chamber has recommended the province develop a specific action plan that focuses on expenditure reduction with measurable, achievable targets.

The chamber’s 2013 submission also included its concerns on the province’s future labour market.

“It is felt as though we need a more refined vision for labour market participation of immigrants. Means of attracting and retaining skilled labour and capital is of crucial importance to the province,” said spokesperson Douglas Coles.

John W.A. Curtis: - February 16, 2013 at 15:05:16

Want to reduce the deficit close CRDC and SRDC. Charlottetown demnds 100 million dollars for waterfront , lose the project.

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voter: - February 16, 2013 at 09:43:07

size of deficit is a worry but rearrange/leave out a few letters and ponder the "SIZE OF THE DECEIT" in the WORLD OF POLITICS (all parties)

intobed: - February 15, 2013 at 16:23:47

So I guess the Chamber would approve higher taxes for business? They are so concerned, after all.

ALFREDD: - February 15, 2013 at 16:22:36

here is this 'ghost again,-- this 'need' for immigrants, --- tell us where those jobs bare, tell us where immigrants are needed,----------why are all these jobs that supposedly are going unfilled not visible? It sounds like the kettle calling the pot black, when the Chambers talks about government spending, considering that we the haxpayers hand over millions and millions to businesses in loand, grant and wage subsidies. It seems like the business sector is in front of the line, when it comes to feeding from the public trough,and comes april, we will be forced to submit to the wishes of the Business and Farming, Fishing sectors when the HSDT start, --- the word hypocrites comed to mind. You may be well advised tokeep your heads down for a bit.

Dufferdon: - February 15, 2013 at 15:59:51

This is not a province, make it part of N.B. or N.S. this place will never amount to anything other then for political favoritism, disgrace to Canada. Give Ghizmo a senate job, just to get rid of him,and make Wessy work for a living.

don: - February 15, 2013 at 15:28:34

as long as we have dizzy and a imported Finance Minister Wes Sheridan looking after our money we are never to get out of this hole.1st dizzy said balance books by 2013-2014 now they add 3 more years and they blame Ottawa bull crap. wes you and dizzy stop helping your friends you would have balanced the books. but wes move back to where you were born we spuds islanders do not need your donating of our money to help other and screw us.

jim: - February 15, 2013 at 13:44:11

Government is way too big for this province. They need to reduce the number of public sector employees and let the private sector create the jobs.Just look at their IT or just abount any other department they have been growing leaps and bounds in the last 5 years......

Pius from BC: - February 15, 2013 at 13:05:08

Yeah, the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce is concerned over PEI's deficit. I wonder how they feel about PEI's debt? Deficit = $80 million. Debt = $2 billion. When is "payback time"?

Not so brights

- February 15, 2013 at 17:38:01

How do you think they are going to address the debt if they don't first address the deficit?

Dan: - February 15, 2013 at 12:38:52

Very typical. PEI is almost broke and not one comment! It speaks volumes.

Hard Worker

- February 15, 2013 at 13:52:09

Ya i don't know what's going on here people need to open there eye's around here.The Island needs jobs and the pro government is wasting money all the time .We all need to stand up it's got to stop.
dm

- February 15, 2013 at 14:09:44

If they would listen to me about how to spend our money maybe i'd say something Dan

Bill Kays: - February 15, 2013 at 11:24:46

Be careful what you ask for. This story is very amusing. On one hand we have "THE CHAMBER" crying to Wes to deal with the growing debt and deficits. There are only 2 ways government can accomplish it. One way is to cut costs and the other way is to increase revenues through increased taxes. It seems that government would prefer to cut costs on the backs of the poor by cutting services and social programs instead of cutting down on government size and government payroll, pensions, etc. etc., but that strategy will only take them so far. Eventually the members of the chamber will get their wish through increased taxes on our shrinking tax base population. You have to work to pay tax. No work (jobs) equals less money in government coffers. So I ask you, how long can we sustain the current system?

I ask you

- February 15, 2013 at 17:39:47

Once again lots of hot air and no solutions. Anything of substance to add bill?

Quiet Observer: - February 15, 2013 at 11:18:10

When the chamber says, "It is felt as though we need a more refined vision for labour market participation of immigrants. Means of attracting and retaining skilled labour ...", what it really means is it wants more labour that it can hire for around minimum wage, rather than pay a decent wage.

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Size of deficit concerns chamber

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