It’s a real guessing game as to whether the PCs’ first budget in a decade will be an austerity blueprint for the province or a spend-happy plan as conflicting signs emerge.

All political parties made some expensive promises during the election campaign, including the now-governing PCs. However, Premier Tony Wakeham has since put the brakes on several significant expenditures including several billion dollars for a new hospital to replace St. Clare’s.

A guest panel, including Chartered Professional Accountants NL, debated the possibilities on Your Money With Nancy Sneddon of BDO on the weekend.

The deficit is approaching a billion dollars, and the revenue-generating MOU with Quebec is on hold.

Jason Hillyard, the CEO of the chartered accountants, says government should probably give that aspect of our finances some serious attention.

“I hope to see them focus on balancing the budget again, although I know it may not be able to happen in one year,” says Hillyard. “But we should have concrete plans to get back to balance.”