The province is facing a leadership crisis, and planning is needed in order to address the growing fiscal problem.

That’s according to Memorial University economist, Dr. Wade Locke, who co-authored a recent essay on the topic with Dr. Doug May.

The province is facing a $2.1-billion deficit, the second-highest in its history.

Locke says the essay is an attempt to stimulate discussion, and while COVID has made the situation worse, it’s not the cause of the problem.

He says the province’s current situation is the result of poor spending decisions and poor public policy. Politicians are interested in getting re-elected says Locke, and a lot of policies are based on a 12-month budget cycle and a four-year election cycle.

Good leadership and solid, long-term planning are needed, according to Locke. He believes it’s still possible to show good leadership and be politically popular.

He says difficult decisions need to be made that will be hard to take, but a good plan will allow the province to move forward and be a place where people can live and prosper.