Rose, the Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce president, said government could have already implemented more cuts in government spending as opposed to broader fee hikes and taxation.
He said the two per cent increase on the Harmonized Sales Tax bother him from a chamber and a social perspective because it will affect the cost of goods and have a negative impact on small businesses.
“It’s broad sweeping and will have a big effect on people with fixed and low incomes resulting in less discretionary spending impacting small business,” he said.
When people lose jobs in the public sector or in major sectors like energy, Rose said there’s always an option to become their own boss through starting a business.
He said Canada is a G8 Nation and one of the top performing nations in the world with Newfoundland and Labrador a great economy in this great country. Even though the province is in a downturn, he said, managing debt is very important, but carrying debt is a reality.
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