“ We are an ageing , declining , urbanizing , geographically diverse soul group . Our Government is characterized by an excessive work force incentivized by salaries and pensions that are not sustainable . The per capita cost of our government is at the breaking point . Sorry to be so blunt .”
‘ GET IT ’ tighten our belts . Governments cannot perpetually seek more and more from its citizens . Premiers and elected members , regardless of political persuasion , will ultimately have no choice but to act , or run out of cash .
Governments have a formidable task , and I do not envy them . Their task is to balance our fiscal reality with the social responsibility they and we have to each other . That is the essence of community . As Newfoundland and Labradorians , we pride ourselves in nurturing each other . Yet , this balance must be achieved if we are to create a secure present and sustainable future for our children and grandchildren .
We are now at the time when we have to start doing rather than continually looking at the cause .
As fighting Newfoundlanders we have to enter this battle together , rather than fighting with each other : rich versus poor , union versus government , rural versus urban . Together we need to collectively take on the battle of the economy .
Government canvassed each of us for ideas . As expected they came in all shapes and sizes . Often there were opposing perspectives , different approaches and contradictory recommendations . All good . All correct from the perspective of the person presenting . However , government has to absorb and digest these with their ‘ insider knowledge ’. Then logically and prudently affect timely change .
Here are a few approaches or perspectives that should resonate with many of you :
1 . First and foremost , we have to expect less of our government . Remember , each dollar it pays out by and large comes from each and every one of us . The more it spends , the more we pay . Inevitably , government has to spend less .
2 . All unionized public sector employees need to understand that reductions are no longer a choice but a necessity . My dream ( and a crazy one it is ) would be to see all unions proactively working with government to address logical , structured cost reduction measures that get balanced from the perspective of both the employee and the overall fiscal situation . From the perspective of the bigger ‘ WE ’ rather than the smaller ‘ we ’. Better solutions can evolve by working together . Rather than take opposing sides , why not seek the most logical approach , together .
3 . Understand that over a relatively short period of time , the levels of bureaucracy have to reduce . This will result not only in fiscal benefits but also in efficiency .
4 . Public service pensions MUST change , both union and non-union . Rather than enter a dialogue on this most complicated subject , let me simply say from my perspective , the structure as it exists today is not sustainable .
5 . Many government employees are ready and willing to retire . Initiate changes that would encourage early retirement rather than inducing these souls to stay , ticking off the days to retirement .
6 . Be open to new ideas and approaches . The passionate voices against public-private partnerships need to listen . In some cases you are correct . In others , believe it or not , they are the wise option . Let ’ s empower our elected officials to explore opportunities where such partnerships make sense and action them . Where they do not , move on . Embedding ourselves in a static belief will get us nowhere .
We have been called to action by the turbulent waters within which we now live . Our lives have collided with national and international events . A rogue wave , or two or three , has struck . Metaphorically , we are taking on water . We need to bail and row together . Understanding why the seas became turbulent is noteworthy but our immediate concern is to not sink . We need to make it to dry land . All hands on deck . Man the oars . Let us all pull together . Yes , yes , including you on the other side , and in the same direction . There will be time later to chat , even argue , about the rogue wave over a fine spot of tea . +
Charlie is a professional life coach , selfpublished poet , purveyor of lifestyle balance and a craftsman of well over 100 businesses . Charlie ’ s main focus is encouraging us to join together to fight the economic challenges rather than fight each other . This op-ed was originally published in the Board of Trade Magazine .
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