Newfoundland and Labrador Finance Minister Cathy Bennett presents the 2016 provincial budget at the legislature in St.John's, Thursday, April 14, 2016. Bennett has set budget day for April 6 in a fiscal climate she says is "very serious." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly
March 16, 2017 - 11:09 AM
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador's Finance Minister Cathy Bennett has set budget day for April 6 in a fiscal climate she says is "very serious."
The oil price crash since mid-2014 has gutted earnings from the offshore oil sector.
The province now faces an estimated deficit of almost $1.6 billion.
Many will be watching to see if Bennett will cut more public-sector jobs and government spending.
Her first budget last spring had sweeping tax and fee hikes — including income-based deficit-reduction levies on anyone earning more than $50,000 a year.
The measures sparked intense anger and protests as the new Liberal government's popularity nosedived.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2017