FINANCE Minister Audley Shaw is to address Parliament tomorrow on the $15-billion deficit inherited by the new administration, according to Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) general secretary, Karl Samuda.

Addressing a press conference yesterday at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios after a JLP central executive meeting at that venue, Samuda said the finance minister would also speak on other issues critical to the nation’s economy, but declined to provide details.

Samuda said the new administration received a shock immediately after the general elections when it was advised of the deficit, which he said was not previously discussed nor brought to public attention.

That issue, Samuda said, was one of three that Prime Minister Bruce Golding identified at yesterday’s meeting as main challenges to the government, the others being the damage caused by Hurricane Dean and the continuing crime wave.

Regarding crime, Samuda said Golding has been working with the Ministry of National Security and would be taking extraordinary steps to deal with the situation. He said further statements on the issue would be made “as soon as possible”.

The JLP has also signalled its readiness for local government elections, saying its full slate of 227 candidates would be in place by October 31 for elections that are expected by yearend.

“All the necessary arrangements and councillors are in place with very few exceptions,” Samuda told journalists.

Samuda expressed confidence in the JLP repeating its 2003 local government election victory, adding that he believes the party deserves to win based on the work done at the community level.

Samuda also reiterated Golding’s recent announcement that he would not be seeking to extend the date for Local Government elections beyond the December 31 deadline.

At the meeting, the first for the party’s central executive since winning the September 3 general elections, new arrangements pertaining to local government was also discussed.

Meanwhile, Labour and Security minister, Pearnel Charles, will leave Jamaica on Wednesday for Canada to seek more employment for Jamaicans in the Canadian farm work programme and to look at accommodation for workers in the programme.

Charles said the government, through the HEART Trust and the Incorporated Master Builders Association of Jamaica, will be seeking to certify at least 500 construction workers in an effort to fill a quota of 450 construction workers that are needed for contract work in British Columbia, Canada. These workers, Charles said, would be on two-year contracts. Contractors from Canada are expected in Jamaica to host a job fair on October 18 to start recruiting persons.