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Resignation of Joan Cleary evident that Bull Arm a feeding trough for political cronies December 7, 2006 Kelvin Parsons, Opposition Natural Resources Critic and MHA for the District of Burgeo-Lapoile, says today’s resignation of Joan Cleary as President and CEO of the Bull Arm Site Corporation (BASC), is proof that the BASC is a feeding trough for political cronies of the PC government and a full investigation of the practices of the site should take place. Joan Cleary, a defeated PC candidate in the last provincial election, resigned earlier today as President and CEO of the BASC. The resignation took place as a result of constant Opposition questioning over the past two weeks surrounding the improper awarding of contracts at the site. One of the contracts was awarded to Joan Cleary’s former campaign manager and did not follow the proper process and procedures. Since then, we have learned that other contracts were awarded that also did not follow the Public Tendering Act. "The BASC has become a feeding trough for political cronies of this government," said Mr. Parsons. "While Ms. Cleary resigned earlier today, there are still many political friends of this government that sit on the board of the BASC. I feel that the problems at this site run much deeper than this contract and all documentation related to contracts at the site should be released immediately to expose what other improper practices have been taking place at the site over the past three years." Yesterday in the House of Assembly, Minister Dunderdale stated, "I am ultimately responsible for what happens in this department, not Ms Cleary, and I am satisfied in terms of my investigations into this matter that there has been no impropriety." Parsons says in light of today’s revelations in the House of Assembly, it is obvious that the minister hasn’t been doing her due diligence to monitor her department. "If Minister Dunderdale is ultimately responsible for what happens at the BASC, I suggest she resign as well. There are obvious problems that run deep at this corporation and I question how much public money has been wasted or given to political friends through improperly tendered contracts. This requires an investigation and the minister should do the appropriate thing, resign and let another colleague complete the proper due diligence in her place. If she was on top of her department, this type of abuse should not be taking place."
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