The Deputy Premier and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Barry Petten, owes the people of Labrador an apology, and more than a news release.
Labrador Affairs Critic and MHA for Cartwright–L’Anse au Clair, Lisa Dempster, says, “Instead of sitting down with parents, students, and community leaders, Minister Petten chose to issue another news release on the cancellation of the contract for a new school in Cartwright, this time blaming the community.”
Government has a responsibility to engage directly with the people affected by political decisions.
“That’s what we do. We meet with people. We listen. We answer questions. We don’t hide behind government communications and hope the issue goes away,” says Dempster.
Mr. Petten claims he is committed to finding another way forward, but words are meaningless without action.
“If Minister Petten is genuinely committed to finding a solution, then he should visit the current inadequate school, meet with the community, and personally assure them he is prepared to work with them on a new school that meets the needs of the community.”
“Since taking office, he has spent months cancelling projects instead of building new infrastructure for the province. He cancelled road work in Labrador, cancelled the new provincial hospital, cancelled the new Paradise access road, cancelled the new courthouse in Stephenville Crossing, reduced the highway paving budget, and put the brakes on other infrastructure commitments. With so little moving forward in his department, surely he can find time to meet with the people affected by his decision,” says Dempster.
The Minister’s refusal to face the community raises serious questions. He has failed to confirm the cost overruns, the cost of compensating the contractor, or the cost of any new solution.
“If he stands by this decision, he should have no trouble defending it in a meeting with community leadership. Why won’t the Minister meet with the people who are impacted? Why won’t he visit the community? He’s afraid to answer questions. And he’s hoping that issuing a news release will somehow make the controversy disappear,” says Dempster.
“As the former Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, I have seen firsthand the condition of the current school in Cartwright, and it has been a concern for years,” says Elvis Loveless. “Students and staff have done their best in a building that is well beyond its intended lifespan, but there comes a point where repairs are simply not enough. Our Liberal government recognized the need for a modern, safe, and accessible school that students deserve, and we started that work.”
Leadership means showing up, listening, and being accountable. That is missing from the Minister’s approach. The people of Labrador, and indeed all rural Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, deserve better than a government that governs from behind a press release.
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