The Official Opposition is once again concerned that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are learning information of significant public importance from sources other than the Premier and his government.
During an interview with VOCM’s Tim Powers, a Quebec journalist indicated that he expects a new Memorandum of Understanding between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec on the Churchill River to be reached in July. Reports coming out of Quebec suggest that Quebec Premier Christine Frechette is eager to reach a new MOU by the end of the month.
The Conservatives’ own Blue Book states, “There can be no deal without real transparency.” The Premier himself has also said “I will continue to uphold these principles of transparency, openness and accountability as we work to secure a better future for all of us.”
Yet Newfoundlanders and Labradorians continue to be denied the transparency they were promised.
In May, we learned of the secret hiring of former Danny Williams-era Cabinet Minister Jerome Kennedy, who had started in his new role in January. Members of the MOU Review Committee were never made available to the House of Assembly or the media, nor have the names and qualifications of those who provided evidence or advice been disclosed. Former Premier Danny Williams has publicly said that stopping the MOU was his “single biggest achievement” since being in politics, yet when asked, the current Premier won’t confirm if Williams had or has any role behind the scenes.
With the negotiating team and oversight committee having only recently been appointed by Premier Wakeham, and the new mandate flowing from the MOU review established three weeks ago, the Official Opposition is questioning whether negotiations have truly been stalled, as the Premier has claimed.
“At every turn, accountability is being replaced by secrecy. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should not be finding out through Quebec media sources that a new MOU is expected next month,” says Opposition Leader John Hogan. “This MOU is worth hundreds of billions of dollars and the Conservatives have not lived up to their commitment to openness and accountability, particularly has it related to the MOU.”
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