News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

As House of Assembly sets to reopen,

Opposition poised to challenge a bumbling government

November 17, 2006

Opposition House Leader and MHA for the District of Burgeo and La Poile, Kelvin Parsons, says the reopening of the House of Assembly on Monday  will provide a fuller opportunity for the Official Opposition to challenge the current government on its poor performance, including its inability to forge an economic path of renewal to counter the tremendous out-migration occurring in recent times.  The House of Assembly is set to reopen for its fall session on November 20^th .  

AThe lack of accomplishments and achievements by this government has already become its hallmark and the premier, including each and every one of his government ministers and members,  have to be taken to task for this sobering reality,@ says Parsons. AThe new economic activity that this government promised to unleash, if elected,  is simply not happening and not even close to happening.  In fact, many are lamenting that the foundation of this province is seriously compromised by this government=s incompetence to address the issues and find practical solutions.

AThe line up of 9000 or more people in St. John=s earlier this month looking for work outside this province has become the symbolic poster for the total failure of this government to live up to standards they set for themselves and for the expectations they fueled in the electorate.   It was only during the spring budget that the premier bragged that we had turned the corner.  Ironically, the only corner that has turned in this province involved the swing of people standing in line at those notorious job fairs.@   

Parsons says that in addition to government=s indifference to the fishery and its neglect of most other  rural issues, the opposition will also focus on outstanding education and health care issues. AThe many unanswered questions and flip-flops respecting the Lower Churchill proposal will also be worthy of questioning. Of course, the controversial issues surrounding the recent fibre-optic deal, including the conflict- of- interest perception, will also be ones that we will be challenging government to clarify.   

AWith less than a year before the next election, the premier and his government have very little time to live up to the

commitments they made in the last election.  As it stands now, good government has taken leave

n this province and people are voting with their feet as  out-migration drains us of our communities, our

people and our spirit.  This session of the House of Assembly will be about holding  government

accountable for this unprecedented tragedy.@ 

Media Contact:
Kim Ploughman
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427