It’s no surprise that Saint Lucians aren’t holding their breath for Ernest Hilaire or Richard Frederick to debate the 2025/2026 Budget. After all, what can they possibly defend?
Under Ernest Hilaire, the Citizenship by Investment Programme is embroiled in a multibillion-dollar scandal that has shaken public confidence and raised serious questions about government accountability. At the same time, his tourism portfolio is taking a hit. Arrivals from key markets like Canada and the United Kingdom have declined and bed nights are reportedly down by nearly 200,000 nights over the past year. That’s not just a statistic, it’s lost jobs, struggling hotels and reduced income for everyday Saint Lucians.
As for Richard Frederick, his record speaks for itself or more accurately, his broken promises do. First, it was condos in Cul de Sac that never happened. Now it’s Cas en Bas, where the promised developments have once again failed to materialize. Bluff after bluff and yet no results for the people he claims to represent.
Perhaps the most telling sign of their discomfort is that neither minister has publicly endorsed Prime Minister Pierre’s final budget. Maybe they’re finally realising what Saint Lucians have known for some time, this government is long on promises, short on delivery and running out of excuses.
Questioning Philip J Pierre’s Fiscal Priorities: The Conundrum of New Taxes and Consultant Budgets
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre’s decision to introduce a new 2.5% tax aimed at generating $33 million has come under tremendous scrutiny. The contentious issue arises not only from the imposition of additional financial burdens on the public but also from the simultaneous decision to increase the budget for consultants by a staggering $41 million. The proposed 2.5% tax, designed…
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by Content Manager