For immediate release
March 3, 2020
NDP demanding government transparency and accountability on first day of House of Assembly
Following the Premier’s sudden resignation two weeks ago and the opening of the House of Assembly today, the NDP Caucus is demanding government to take responsibility for the state of the province.
Today in Question Period, NDP Leader Alison Coffin said it’s time to get right to the point – “who’s in charge?” she asked the Premier. “Is it the Premier present, the Premier whispered to be waiting in the wings, ghosts of Premiers past, or are we truly in the Shallow State?” said Coffin.
Coffin pressed the Premier to be transparent about his government’s reasons for bringing forth the Interim Supply bill, much earlier than usual.
“I ask the Premier, upon the passing of Interim Supply and instead of governing, is it his plan to prorogue our House to give his Party time to orchestrate the coronation of a new Premier and drag us all into yet another costly early election?”
NDP House Leader Jim Dinn remarked the latest in a string of concerning incidents regarding the Fisheries and Land Resources Minister’s handling of his department.
“From the Fisheries and Land Resources Minister’s mishandling of the die-off of 2.6 million salmon, to his cynical accusations of racism and poaching levelled at two Members of this House, to his use of a racist slur against Indigenous people, and commission of a firearms offence, to the resignation of two Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council members as a result of his inaction, this Minister has exhibited a pattern of behaviour – a pattern of behaviour – that has caused the public to question his judgement, damaged the credibility of his Department, and brought shame on this government,” said Dinn.
“I ask the Premier, will he finally acknowledge that the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources has overstayed his welcome and release him?”
MHA for Labrador West, Jordan Brown, says Labrador caribou are so endangered that federal funds have been allocated for their survival, but in Labrador West the two Wildlife Enforcement positions have been vacant for almost a year.
“I ask the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, when is he planning on filling the two Wildlife positions in Labrador West and the remaining vacancies in all of Labrador?” said Brown.
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For further information, contact Zaren Healey White, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), 693-9172 (c), or zarenhealeywhite@gov.nl.ca.