Hon. John Pollard's return to Question W24-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan on March 9, 1992: The government's plans to bring the deficit under control were presented to the Legislative Assembly in my February 12, 1992 Minister's statement on the fiscal situation and the capital estimates. At that time I identified that the government would strive to balance the budget over the next two years and that our fiscal target was to reduce the deficit to approximately $25 million in 1992-93 and balance the budget in 1993-94. The range of deficit reduction measures that would have to be considered was also identified in my February 12, 1992 statement.
Subsequently, the Government Leader presented to the Legislative Assembly the outline of a plan to reshape northern government. This outline encompassed a suggested work plan and consultative process which would lead to the necessary decisions to live within our means yet still accomplish our major social and economic objectives.
Based on the guidelines provided in my February 12, 1992 statement and the work plan outlined in the Reshaping Northern Government document, the government is developing more specific action plans and measures to deal with the deficit. These will be discussed with the appropriate standing and special committees of this Legislative Assembly over the coming months as the 1992-93 O and M budget is developed for presentation to the standing committee on finance in June 1992.