|
|||||
| Return to 2005 News Releases | |||||
|
|
News
Release |
||||
|
Improper conduct by minister needs to be
addressed Yvonne Jones, Liberal Opposition Critic for Health and Community Services and MHA for the District of Cartwright L’Anse au Clair, says the recent behaviour of the health minister in threatening to expose day care operators for their alleged regulatory violations should they continue to speak publicly against government inaction on day care issues, is improper and should not be considered acceptable by the premier. The Liberal MHA questioned the minister of health today about an unusual phone call he placed to the president of the association of daycare operators (PACAL). The minister is reported to have threatened the administrators with publishing a list of violators of government’s daycare regulators should they remain publicly critical of government’s lack of support of their industry and its concerns. "Minister Osborne has engaged in a very serious and unprincipled conduct for a government minister," says Jones. "It is quite evident that the minister is feeling the heat of these operators who have chosen to express in the media their frustrations at the lack of government’s assistance to stabilize this important industry. Instead of trying to reach out in partnership with these operators in finding solutions to the problems plaguing the child care sector, the minister retaliates with pressure and threats. "The real problem of the recruitment and retention of early childcare educators is not being addressed by this government. The industry needs some co-operation and even reassurance that this concern and other outstanding issues will soon be addressed. One or two years down the road, it will be too late as many child care centres will have to shut down if they do not get the help they need here and now. "If the premier chooses to ignore this most unusual conduct by a minister, then he is by his silence giving approval to this form of intimidation and bullying by his minister. This government should be engaged in finding creative and timely solutions to issues affecting our province, not creating a culture of fear and intimidation where our citizens are afraid to make their concerns known."
|
|||||
|
Media Contact: |
|||||
