According to Angus Reid, 53 per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians asked say they are treading water financially and many believe the provincial government isn’t doing enough to address the rising cost of living.

Angus Reid’s Cross-Canada Outlook shows that 80 per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians asked believe Tony Wakeham’s government is not doing enough to address the rising financial pressures many are feeling.

Seventy-nine per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians polled identified the cost of living as their number one concern, followed by health care at 70 per cent – yet only 10 per cent of those asked say Premier Tony Wakeham’s new government is doing a good job in addressing those issues.

The Wakeham government has a much higher approval rating when it comes to energy policy with 45 per cent of those asked saying they believe he’s doing a good job after securing a path forward for the previously stalled Bay du Nord project.

The provincial government also has a relatively high approval rating (at 46 per cent) for its relationship with the federal government.

Optimism among residents remains high however, with nearly one quarter of people in this province – the highest percentage in the country – saying that they believe they will be better off next year.

While fewer Newfoundlanders and Labradorians believe that the province is on the right track (31 per cent ) compared to one year ago (49 per cent), Angus Reid says the relatively new Wakeham government has plenty of time to address any lingering concerns.