Despite all the debate since the recent federal budget laid out a new equalization regime, Dr. Wade Locke says that there hasn’t been much in the way of hard numbers to inform the discussion.

That will change on Wednesday, April 4, when Dr. Locke, a professor of economics, unveils publicly the figures his careful analysis has generated.

“Now we’ll actually have numbers that are objective, accurate, and that will incorporate a full spectrum of factors, such as the oil sector and its expected impact,” Dr. Locke said, adding that projections indicate the province will stop being eligible for equalization payments after 2009 under the previous system, which includes the protection of the Atlantic Accord.

Dr. Locke says he undertook the complex analysis because it’s important to facilitate public discussion on an informed basis.

Media and the public are invited to attend Dr. Locke’s session, Cutting through the Gordian Knot – An Objective Assessment of the Equalization Implications for Newfoundland and  Labrador of the 2007 Federal Budget on Wednesday, April 4, from 7- 9 p.m. in the Science Building, room SN-2109. Space is limited.

A discussion period will follow his presentation.

Dr. Locke's presentation will be available on the www.mun.ca/arts website on Thursday.