EDITOR:
You were right in your editorial Saturday, most Islanders were surprised, even shocked, when the MacLauchlan government announced its projected budget surplus of $1.2 million (announced in the last budget) had jumped to $75 million. Don’t the many government bean counters have a better handle on the pulse of our money?
Your editorial states that a major contributor to this increase was “higher personal taxes and HST revenue.” This statement shows why many Islanders are struggling. Besides having the second highest unemployment rate in the country, P.E.I. also has the lowest average income and lowest basic personal income tax exemption in the country. So those lucky enough to have a job are still hurting.
Instead of walking around patting themselves on the back, our government should hang its head in shame.
Lloyd Kerry,
Charlottetown
