Can Newfoundland and Labrador be trusted with its own credit cards?

That’s the question chartered accountant Larry Short is asking in light of the province’s mounting debt.

The deficit for this year has reached $2.1-billion, with little to no relief in sight in light of growing expenses and declining revenue.

Short indicates the province does not have a good track record when it comes to sound fiscal management.

He says the province reached so-called have status twice, only to lose it again.

Short says the problem lies inherently in the political process and setting realistic goals.