Hundreds of people marched in St. John’s Friday morning to protest the Newfoundland and Labrador government’s latest austerity measures.
Organizers say people are upset and frustrated over tax and fee increases, introduced in the province’s budget. For example, gas taxes are going up by 16.5 cents per litre, the HST will increase to 15 per cent from 13 and income taxes are going up for all tax brackets. A whole host of fees, from hunting and fishing licences to admission to arts and culture centres, are also increasing.
READ MORE: Tough N.L. budget has steep tax hikes, deep job cuts to tackle $1.8B deficit
On top of that, the provincial government will also be collecting an income-based levy of up to $900 from everyone earning more than $20,000 of taxable income.
More than half of the province’s public libraries will also be closing due to budget cuts, the province’s library association announced this week.
The austerity measures were introduced in an attempt to address a $2 billion deficit. However, even with cuts and tax increases, the deficit remains at $1.8 billion.
READ MORE: A tale of two budgets – Alberta & N.L. take vastly different approach to similar challenge
With files from the Canadian Press
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