Former premier Brian Peckford says the political parties are “hoodwinking” the public about the desperate state of the province’s financial situation.

Peckford, who led the province from 1979 to ’89, says downplaying the significance of the $16-billion debt is shameful.

He also predicts spending promises by the Liberals and Tories in their platforms will be broken no matter who forms the next government.

He says most people depend on the parties to accurately inform them of the province’s financial affairs but he says they’re not doing that. Peckford says instead they’re being dishonest and irresponsible by making spending promises they can’t realistically keep, adding that the “hoodwinking” has gone too far.

Peckford says the first step for the next government should be to freeze all spending and wages rather than cut services.