Two weeks after the PCs used their slim majority in the House of Assembly to push through their agreement with Quebec, they are hoping Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will forget that they moved ahead with a 50-year deal without giving the public a meaningful opportunity to have their say.
The Liberal Opposition is launching a new online resource, NLHaveYourSay.ca, to give Newfoundlanders and Labradorians a direct opportunity to share their views on the PCs’ new deal with Quebec on Churchill Falls and Gull Island and what should come next.
Liberal Leader John Hogan and Liberal MHAs will also be meeting with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians throughout the province to hear directly from residents. Liberal MHAs will bring their concerns, feedback and ideas back to the House of Assembly during the upcoming sitting.
“Your voice matters. This is your resource,” says Liberal Leader John Hogan, KC. “The PCs promised Newfoundlanders and Labradorians a referendum, but that referendum never came. Instead, they moved ahead without giving people a meaningful opportunity to have their say.”
Premier Tony Wakeham and the Progressive Conservatives said the debate in the House of Assembly would replace a referendum. But the PCs themselves admitted it was little more than an information session, failed to provide critical information in time, and ultimately gave Newfoundlanders and Labradorians no meaningful opportunity to have their say.
The Liberal Opposition believes Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should have an opportunity to speak directly about the agreement that will shape the future of Churchill Falls and our province’s relationship with Quebec for generations to come. Through NLHaveYourSay.ca, people can tell the Liberal Opposition what concerns they have, and what they believe should happen next.
“The PCs may not have wanted to hear from you, but we do,” says Hogan. “We will listen to what Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have to say and bring your voices directly into the House of Assembly. Your feedback will help us ensure the questions and concerns of people across this province are heard.”
The Liberal Opposition is encouraging Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to visit NLHaveYourSay.ca, share their views and help shape the conversation about what comes next on the Churchill River.
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