2016 Newfoundland and Labrador budget protests

Last updated
2016 Newfoundland and Labrador protests
Statue of John Cabot St. John's 01.jpg
Confederation Building in St. John's, the seat of the provincial legislature and the site of a series of protests. [1]
Date14 April 2016 — ~Summer 2016
Location
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Caused by
  • Government overspending
  • Austerity
  • Deficit-reduction levy
  • Public-sector job cuts
  • High cost of living
Methods
Status
  • May 19, 2016: Liberal MHA Paul Lane expelled from Liberal caucus due to his opposition to the levy.
  • May 25, 2016: Increased funding from the federal government reduces the number of residents who will have to pay the levy. [2]
  • June 2016: Budget passes in the House of Assembly.
Parties
Newfoundland and Labrador's location in Canada. Newfoundland is the island to the east of the Canadian mainland while Labrador is the region to the northwest of Newfoundland or northeast of Quebec. Newfoundland and Labrador-map.png
Newfoundland and Labrador's location in Canada. Newfoundland is the island to the east of the Canadian mainland while Labrador is the region to the northwest of Newfoundland or northeast of Quebec.

The 2016 Newfoundland and Labrador budget protests were a series of protests in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. [6] The protests were in opposition to the provincial budget proposed by Finance Minister Cathy Bennett which will implement tax-hikes and cuts to many public service jobs. The protests were a major part of the financial crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Contents

Context

The courthouse in Harbour Grace will be one of the casualties of public-sector cuts. HarbourGraceNL CourtHouse.jpg
The courthouse in Harbour Grace will be one of the casualties of public-sector cuts.

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of Canada's oil-producing provinces and oil revenues account for a significant amount of the province's GDP. During the premiership of Danny Williams, oil prices were high and government spending increased. The province's public sector doubled in size while provincial government spending was 20–36% higher than most other provinces. [7]

The recent drop in the price of oil caused a deficit for the province and the government did not expect to see another surplus until 2022. [7] The provincial budget was unveiled by Finance Minister Cathy Bennett on April 14, 2016. [8] In the budget, plans for more than 400 public-sector job cuts were announced, taxes on gasoline were doubled, the sales tax was increased and a "deficit-reduction levy" was to be introduced. This levy is an additional tax that will be imposed on residents with an annual income between $49,500 and $72,000.

Lower Churchill Project

One of the most notable mega-projects by the province under Williams was the Lower Churchill Project, a hydroelectric project in central Labrador on the Churchill River. [9] During Williams's premiership the project received lots of support from Newfoundlanders however it was much more controversial among Labradorians. [10] The position on the project taken by the Nunatsiavut government was even supported by Amnesty International. The project is being developed by Nalcor Energy and Emera. Nalcor is a provincial crown corporation based in St. John's.

The project is behind schedule [11] and despite the province's financial situation and the high costs of the project, it is expected to continue development. [12]

Reaction to the budget

The budget has been very controversial since its unveiling. [13] [14]

Many notable people from the province have spoken out against the budget. Former Liberal Premier Roger Grimes criticized the introduction of the levy. [15]

Several public and independent groups have formed in the province. These groups are motivated by the cyclical abuse, lack of democracy and mismanagement of the province ever since it joined the Confederation. [16]

The groups or entities included; -Coordinated Approach -Mutual Aid -Free NL -Golden Arrow Community -Peoples Union -Peoples Assembly -Newfrownland.ca

Protests

Many protests by various organizations took place after April 2016. Former cabinet ministers under the Progressive Conservative government from 2003 to 2015 appeared at some protests (including former Premier Paul Davis) where they were often not well received. [17] [18]

Notable protest locations

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Barry, Garrett (May 7, 2016). "Thousands swarm Confederation Building for anti-budget protest". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2016-05-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "NAPE budget fight hitting the road". CBC News. April 21, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  4. ↑ "CUPE brings anti-budget message to health minister". CBC News. May 3, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Connors, Colleen; Bird, Lindsay (April 29, 2016). "'We find it a bit of a struggle': Budget protest message from Corner Brook". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Newfoundland is rising against austerity". rabble.ca. May 18, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Roberts, Terry (April 14, 2016). "N.L. budget: $1.83B deficit, across-the-board tax hikes and layoffs". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Budget". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  9. ↑ "At a Glance". Nalcor Energy. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2016-05-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ "Muskrat Falls costs up again, project further behind schedule". CBC News. April 12, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  12. ↑ Luck, Shaina (April 22, 2016). "Premier confident in Muskrat Falls hydro project despite Nalcor CEO's concerns". CBC News.
  13. ↑ Wall, Lukas (April 28, 2016). "Protests planned following 'province-wide discontent' with budget". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  14. ↑ Cochrane, David (April 29, 2016). "Liberals feeling heat over unpopular deficit reduction levy". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Roger Grimes criticizes Liberal budget, wants 'Muskrat Falls levy' eliminated". CBC News. April 22, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Organized Political Groups - Dream Bigger". Archived from the original on 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  17. ↑ Barry, Garrett; Quinn, Mark (April 21, 2016). "Paul Davis shouted down at anti-Liberal budget rally". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  18. 1 2 Barry, Garrett; Barker, Jacob (April 22, 2016). "Keith Russell gets an earful at Labrador budget rally". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  19. ↑ Bartlett, Geoff (April 30, 2016). "Rally at Bonavista CNA campus to protest budget cuts". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  20. ↑ Wall, Lukas (May 14, 2016). "Clarenville parents protest cuts to schools and education". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  21. ↑ Bartlett, Geoff (April 23, 2016). "Gambo latest town to hold budget protest". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  22. 1 2 Power, Leigh Anne; Bartlett, Geoff (May 11, 2016). "Protests at King's Cove and Avalon schools before morning bell". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-05-21. Retrieved 2016-05-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. ↑ "Angry protesters swarm Dwight Ball and Cathy Bennett before CBC special broadcast". CBC News. May 2, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Swift Current area residents to protest 2016 budget - Regional - The Telegram". Archived from the original on 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2016-05-22.
  26. ↑ "'We'll keep fighting': Woody Point residents protest Bonne Bay Academy cuts". CBC News. May 18, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
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