Budget cuts called 'disproportionate' and 'disappointing' for Grand Falls-Windsor

The Deputy Mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor is disappointed after what he calls "disproportionate" impacts to his community in the latest Newfoundland and Labrador budget. 

• N.L. budget: $1.83B deficit, across-the-board tax hikes and layoffs
• Dwight Ball defends tough budget, broken promises

"As a council we expect a proportional amount of impact if there's decisions that are negative to the province," said Darren Finn. "And I think we've had a disproportionate amount of impacts."

The budget closed the Supreme Court in Grand Falls-Windsor, deferred multiple health care projects, cancelled a medical education program, stopped walk in services at the the MCP office and cut jobs in town after canceling the Home Heating Rebate program.

"We have in our community, in our economic development - chosen to focus on health," said Finn. "As a council we pay very close attention to health so these decisions - we are not satisfied with the decisions that are made."

"There are two constructions at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre - in terms of the laboratories and endoscopy unit. Both were deferred out to two years," said Finn.

"Those are necessary renovations to existing infrastructure that are vitally important for them to maintain their accreditation."

The budget eliminated the Home Heating Rebate program for an estimated annual savings of $15,911,100. 

Applications were processed in Grand Falls-Windsor. A spokesperson for the Department of Finance said 16 casual jobs and 3 permanent jobs were eliminated. 

The budget also included a line about finding "efficiencies in the delivery of Medical Care Plan (MCP) including removal of walk-in services at the Grand Falls-Windsor office."

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Community Services said in a statement it "estimates that approximately 12 clients visit the office each day for walk-in MCP services."

The removal of walk-in services will cut three jobs.

"One of these positions will be eliminated through attrition, one is currently vacant and will not be refilled, and the third is a temporary 13-week position that will not be extended," read the statement.

The service will be replaced with a secure drop box for applications. 

It will save an estimated $ 144,000 annual, according to the budget.

Finn believes these job cuts will be a big hit for town already dealing with hard times.

"It's not only the mill getting torn down - but Tech Duck Pond Mine just closed