Busting the myths created by Premier Furey’s “big reset” to save the economy by privatizing public services, selling off assets, and cutting jobs.
MYTH
Deep cuts are necessary to pay down the debt.
FACT
Massive cuts are not needed. We can cover the deficit with well thought-out, phased-in revenue growth. Our government needs to drive economic growth by offering more training opportunities, helping workers transition into new job sectors, reducing income inequality, and creating a fairer tax system.
These revenue options could generate $800 million:
- Increase taxes on high income earners and large corporations
- Continue to raise carbon tax rates
- Introduce new taxes on extreme wealth and luxury goods
MYTH
Selling off our public assets is necessary to pay down the debt.
FACT
It’s shocking that Premier Furey would even consider selling off our publicly-owned assets that generate millions of dollars in revenue, but that plan is already in motion now. He’s planning to sell off public assets such as NL Hydro, NL Liquor, and the Motor Vehicle Registry, just to name a few.
Sure, we may pay off some debt now, but how will we generate revenue in the future if we don’t hold onto these assets? We’ll lose billions in revenue if we lose these publicly-owned assets. NL Liquor is very profitable. In the last ten years, dividends have totalled $1.6 billion. In 2019 to 2020, our province received $91 million in revenue from vehicle and driver licenses, and $70 million from registration of deeds, companies and securities.
MYTH
The premier’s proposed job cuts will hardly be noticeable.
FACT
The premier’s plan is a job killer, and we’ll all suffer for it. It will put almost 9,000 people on the unemployment line. That’s 5% of full-time jobs in the province!
Nearly ¾ of the jobs lost will be in the health care sector, and many of them will be in rural areas where jobs and health care services are increasingly harder to come by. We cannot afford 6,500 fewer public health care workers, especially after the pandemic, and a massive cyberattack that has disrupted our healthcare system, cancelling thousands of procedures.
Spending cuts could also result in 1,000 fewer jobs at Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic. Some campuses will inevitably close.
MYTH
With the premier’s plan we’ll still have all the public services we need.
FACT
Governments like to use code words like “alternative service delivery” and “shared services” to cover up what they’re really doing – handing over our public services and facilities to big business. We’ll lose control of those services, costs will rise, and quality will suffer.
Changes outlined in the premier’s plan, which have already begun, will make it harder for parents to have a say in their children’s education. Many good jobs will be lost as HR, IT, payroll, maintenance and other jobs are handed over to private, for-profit companies.
Regional health authorities will shutter hospitals and clinics across the province. Health care services like blood work, diagnostic testing, and more, could be handed over to private, for-profit companies.
MYTH
The premier’s team just wants what’s best for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
FACT
They know that their plan will put more money in the pockets of corporations and billionaires. The private sector is always looking for more ways to generate profit, and taking over public services can be extremely profitable – by cutting corners on safety and quality, pushing down wages and benefits, and working people into the ground.
CONTACT YOUR MHA AND TELL THEM TO “REJECT THE RESET”
We must reject Premier Furey’s plan before it’s too late!
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians know they can count on public services to make life more affordable and more equal, and improve our communities and our quality of life.
Contact info for MHAs: assembly.nl.ca/members/members.aspx
Download a copy: one-page version of the pamphlet.
