Dwight Ball will name cabinet Dec. 14, waiting for fiscal update

Premier-designate Dwight Ball says he has not seen briefing documents that indicate the provincial deficit has ballooned to $1.8 billion, adding hestill plans to cancel a planned increase in the HST.

• N.L. deficit balloons to $1.8 billion, as Liberals take reins
• Dwight Ball: N.L.'s unlikely premier and the problems he faces

Ball was invited to meet with the Lt.-Gov.Frank FaganWednesdayto discuss the transition to a Liberal government.

He says he will name a new cabinet Dec.14 and expects to have 12 ministers, who will meet before Christmas, but he did not say when the legislature will reopen.

CBC hasreportedthat oil revenue is down $700 million, leading to a newtarget deficit of$1.8 billion.

Ball said he is looking forward to meeting with finance officialsand briefings could start as early as Wednesday afternoon.

"I will be asking those frank questions and as soon as we can share this information with the public, we will put it out there," he said.

Holding firm on HST

Ball said once the transition intogovernment takes place, he will follow through on a promise to cancelaplanned two per cent HST increase.

"Reversing the HST was done to be an economic stimulus, and we felt it's a way to grow the economy, to keep the economy strong." said Ball.

"The letter isready to go and we will be sending that letter to reversethe HST.Then we need to determine what the factors are, if indeed these numbers are correct."

Ball addedhe believed the information should have been revealed during the election campaign.

As for the status of the New Democratic Party, which elected only two membersMonday night, not enough to receive official party status in the House of Assembly, Ball said he will work to make sure the party gets money and support.

"I can see funding in place for them to do their job," he said.

"I'll look at the process that was followed in the past. I want to make sure parties are funded to play the role of opposition."