MHA pleased with budget

Calling it an investment in our children and for the province as a whole, Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port, said he was extremely happy with the province's budget for fiscal 2010.

He noted the government was investing over $1 billion in the province's infrastructure program.

"We're investing more monies in roads," said Mr. Cornect. "Although there's been no announcement yet, but I'm hoping to get some roadwork in the district. And soon as that's announced, I'll be making it public."

He added while there wasn't anything specific regarding municipal infrastructure projects for his district announced in the budget, he hoped there would be forthcoming announcements for local projects.

"We're also investing a whopping $2.7 billion, a record investment, for health operations," he said of the provincial budget. "And one that strikes me the most is the investment of $3.2 million to cover the cost of ten new drug therapies under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program, including cancer drugs."

He noted he was very happy the government was going to increase income thresholds for the province's prescription drug access program.

"Another big one that I've already had some reaction and some response to - and I'm very pleased with ¬- is the investment to expand coverage for insulin pump therapy to include people from 18 to 25 years of age."

Mr. Cornect said he was also pleased with such announcements as the small business corporate income tax rate reduced from five per cent to four per cent, sustained funding for the Aboriginal Women's Network, and an increase to the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation's maintenance budget.

"I'm happy that we're going to increase the Low Income Seniors' Benefit," he added. "Annually, it's $803 now, that will go up to $900. That comes out every year, along with the GST."

He noted he was glad with the government's commitment to education spending - including funds to extend the class size cap to Grades 6 through 9 and Excellence in Mathematics strategy in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system; and a continued tuition freeze for Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic students.

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