The leader of the PC’s in Newfoundland and Labrador has created a working group within the party to collect information and come up with ideas on what he calls the population crisis.

Ches Crosbie says all other parts of Canada have seen a significant increase in population but it’s just the opposite in this province.

Crosbie says we cannot continue down this path as funding transfers from Ottawa are based on population. He says that’s not good for a province which is heavily in debt and running a deficit.

Crosbie says a significant number of workers in the civil service will be up for retirement in four or five years so reducing costs can be accomplished. He says Newfoundland Power did it without any strife.

He says after the cod moratorium, they reduced their workforce by 40 per cent without mass layoffs or firings.