| YOUR
CHOICES - A Questionnaire
Government wants to hear your views on how to prepare
the 1997 Budget. One way to do this is to fill out this
questionnaire, and send it to the Minister of Finance.
Simply circle the number that best represents your
opinion on each of the following statements about the
taxes you pay, the government programs and services you
receive, and what size you believe our debt and deficit
should be. You can help in Making Choices.
- The idea that Government should consult with the
public before preparing the Budget is a good one,
and it should become a feature of the annual
budget process.
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
- Right now it is more important to make progress
toward balancing the budget - progress towards
not spending more than we take in and not adding
to our debt - than it is to maintain all our
present programs and services by borrowing more
money.
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
- Although taxes on average families are already
high, they should be increased to reduce our
projected deficits and prevent some service cuts.
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
- If taxes have to be increased, I would prefer to
see:
a) small increases in many taxes adding up to
the amount needed,
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
b) or, larger increases in only a few taxes,
such as,
- personal income tax 1 2 3 4 5
- gasoline tax 1 2 3 4 5
- liquor & tobacco taxes 1 2 3 4 5
- business profit & payroll taxes 1 2 3 4 5
- fees, licenses & fines 1 2 3 4 5
- Government should have more and higher fees for
services not everyone uses, particularly
commercial services, so the people benefiting pay
more of the cost.
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
- Government spending must be reduced because our
projected deficits are too high and we cannot
increase taxes to make up the difference.
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
- Rather than cutting all services across the
board, Government should establish priorities and
provide a greater level of funding for some
services than others.
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
- One way Government could reduce spending is to
have some services delivered by the private
sector rather than Government, as long as service
quality would be maintained.
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
- There are 3 ways to address our projected
budgetary shortfalls - raise taxes, cut spending
or increase our debt. To deal with a shortfall of
$100 million, what amount would you choose for
each one of these options [the three should total
100]?
Amount
Raise Taxes $0 20 40 60 80 100 other $
Cut Spending $0 20 40 60 80 100 other $
Increase Debt $0 20 40 60 80 100 other $
Total $
- A three year budget plan should lead to more
efficient program and service delivery and better
management of the Province's finances.
Strongly agree = 1 2 3 4 5 = Strongly disagree
We would like to report on whether or not people
who are in similar circumstances share similar views.
Please consider answering a few short general questions
about yourself.
In which region of the Province do you live?
1. Labrador 2. West Coast/Northern Peninsula 3. Central/South Coast
4. Eastern/Burin Peninsula 5. Avalon Peninsula
In which age group are you?
1. under 19 2. 19 - 24 years 3. 25 - 44 years 4. 45 - 64 years 5. 65 years & over
How many people are there in your household, including all adults and children?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 & over
What is your annual household income from all sources?
1. under $25,000 2. $25,000 - $49,999 3. $50,000 - $75,000 4. over $75,000
Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Please
mail to the following address:
Please feel free to attach any additional comments
on separate sheets.
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