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Provincial Caucus
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Gerry Reid, MHA
Leader of the Official Opposition


Dwight Ball, MHA


Anna Thistle, MHA

Eddie Joyce, MHA

George Sweeney, MHA

Judy Foote, MHA

Kelvin Parsons, MHA

Oliver Langdon, MHA

Percy Barrett, MHA

Roland Butler, MHA

Wally Andersen, MHA

Yvonne Jones, MHA

 Press Release Archive

MHA Jones concerned Labrador needs not being addressed in new energy plan
September 12, 2007
 Liberal Opposition Critic for Natural Resources and MHA for the District for Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, Yvonne Jones, says that the proposed new energy direction for the province appears to have excluded the energy requirements of Labrador and that is less than acceptable.  (Full Release)

Energy Plan: A mere sketch charges Opposition
September 11, 2007
 Opposition Leader Gerry Reid calls government’s proposed energy plan a vague and sketchy document long on assumptions and promises, yet short on specifics. (Full Release)

Reid challenges Premier to respond to Hebron questions before election is called
September 10, 2007
 Opposition Leader Gerry Reid is challenging Premier Danny Williams to immediately respond to the 13 written questions related to the Hebron Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) submitted to his office two weeks ago.  (Full Release)

MHA Ball recommends a Centre of Excellence for Skilled Labour in Humber Valley
September 7, 2007
 MHA Dwight Ball says the Humber Valley has the potential to play a significant role in the major industrial and resource boom projected for the province and across Canada as a whole over the next decade, by establishing a Centre of Excellence to directly address the growing shortage of skilled labour. (Full Release)

Reid releases letter to Premier Williams seeking answers on Hebron
August 30, 2007
 Opposition Leader Gerry Reid issued an open letter to Premier Danny Williams today asking a number of questions related to the Hebron deal, including the possibility that the project as announced last week could result in millions of dollars being left on the table and missed opportunities for local workers.  (Full Release)

MHA Jones urges government to drop charges against Metis hunters
August 30, 2007
 MHA for the District of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair, Yvonne Jones, is questioning  the provincial government's decision to reverse its stated position and charge a dozen Metis with hunting without a license, while at the same time urging that the charges be dismissed by provincial authorities.  (Full Release)

Minister is failing to protect school children charges Opposition
August 29, 2007
 Liberal Education Critic and MHA for the District of Port de Grave, Roland Butler, says that the Minister of Education continues to neglect the health of school children across the province by refusing to carry out a comprehensive review of all schools throughout the province to determine the presence of mould and other harmful toxins. (Full Release)

Government must release more detailed information related to Hebron talks
August 22, 2007
Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says he is pleased that government has once again returned to the table with the Hebron partners, but is calling on the premier to make more details of the negotiations public. (Full Release)

Retention bonus urgently needed to address health care staff shortages says Opposition
August 20, 2007
Liberal Opposition Health and Community Services Critic, Dwight Ball, says its time government immediately offer up retention bonuses to retain valuable health care workers in an effort to help address chronic staff shortages and extended wait times. (Full Release)

Sweeney announces intention not to seek re-election
August 15, 2007
 George Sweeney, MHA for the District of Carbonear-Harbour Grace, announced today that he will not be seeking re-election once the upcoming provincial general election is called.  (Full Release)

Burgeo Highway finally getting the attention it deserves: MHA Parsons
August 10, 2007
 Kelvin Parsons, MHA for the District of Burgeo-LaPoile, says he is pleased that government has finally seen the wisdom in addressing the overgrown brush alongside the Burgeo Highway and has tendered for a  brush-cutting project.   (Full Release)  

HPV Vaccine Program needs to be expanded suggests Opposition
August 9, 2007
 Liberal Opposition Health and Community Services Critic, Dwight Ball, says he is pleased to see the announcement of the HPV Vaccine Program by government earlier this week, but feels access to the vaccine for the first year should be expanded to include young women from Grades 7 and 8. (Full Release)  

Joyce disappointed with process to establish Waste Management site for the Greater Humber Region
August 09, 2007
 Eddie Joyce, MHA for the District of Bay of Islands, is disappointed that government has unilaterally announced its intention to invest funding to complete geo-technical work for the Wild Cove disposal site without establishing a promised Waste Management Committee representing all communities in the Bay of Islands and Humber region.   (Full Release)  
 

MHA Butler pushes for temporary bridge on Route 70
August 07, 2007
 MHA for the District of Port de Grave, Roland Butler, says that in the interest of restoring business activity along Route 70, government should erect a temporary bridge to replace the bridge structure permanently damaged by the recent post-tropical storm hitting the area.   (Full Release)  

Opposition calls on government to roll out overdue HPV vaccine program
August 06, 2007
 Liberal Opposition Health and Community Services Critic and MHA for the District of Humber Valley, Dwight Ball, says government is taking a tardy approach to an important health protection initiative for young women by  delaying the implementation  of the HPV program.  (Full Release)

MHA Butler calls upon E.M.O. to hold public meeting to assist storm response
August 03, 2007
 Roland Butler, MHA for the district of Port de Grave, is calling upon the Emergency Measures Organization (E.M.O.) to immediately hold public meetings in the area to speed up  response to the severe storm damage caused by tropical storm Chantal earlier this week.  (Full Release)

Meeting on Port aux Basques fish plant productive
July 31, 2007
 Kelvin Parsons, MHA for the District of Burgeo-Lapoile, and Port aux Basques Mayor Brian Button are calling today’s meetings with government on the future of the Barry Group fish plant in Port aux Basques very productive. (Full Release)

Joyce questions whether Grenfell announcement is another election ploy by government
July 27, 2007
 Eddie Joyce, MHA for the District of Bay of Islands, is questioning whether government’s position related to the establishment of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College (SWGC) as the province’s second university is sincere, or simple politicking on the verge of an election campaign. (Full Release)

Opposition Leader to attend annual district event
July 25, 2007
 Opposition Leader Gerry Reid will be attending the annual Twillingate/New World Island Fish, Fun and Folk Festival from July 25th to July 29th. Mr. Reid will participate in numerous events related to the festival over the next few days, including the festival parade and opening ceremonies which get underway at 1:30pm tomorrow. Mr. Reid will also take the opportunity to welcome visitors to the area, including Premier Danny Williams. (Full Release)

Government spending like drunken sailors in an attempt to buy votes
July 25, 2007
 Opposition Leader Gerry Reid is challenging government’s blatant abuse of taxpayers money in its attempt to buy votes heading into the fall election campaign. Reid says this abuse of power defeats the spirit and intent of Justice Green’s report. (Full Release)

Opposition expresses concern with Premier undermining Green's recommendation on constituency allowance
July 19, 2007
 Liberal Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says he has serious concerns that the Premier and members of his caucus have found a convenient way of subverting at least one of the recommendations of the Green Report as it relates to MHA constituency spending.   (Full Release)

MHA Jones pushes for Red Bay to Lodge Bay road work to be tendered
July 19, 2007
 Yvonne Jones, MHA for the District of Cartwright-L'Anse Au Clair, is urging the Department of Transportation and Works to immediately tender the road work that has been promised for  Red Bay to Lodge Bay to help improve driving conditions between those two communities.  (Full Release)

MHA Parsons requests meeting with Minister to present Burgeo Highway petition
July 18, 2007
 Kelvin Parsons, MHA for the District of Burgeo-La-Poile, says that he has now requested a meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Works John Hickey  to present petitions from area residents urging government to carry out brush-cutting along the Burgeo Highway. (Full Release)

MHA Jones says government laxness contributed to Aleutian Disease in Labrador mink farms
July 18, 2007
 MHA for the District of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair and Opposition Critic for Natural Resources, Yvonne Jones, says  Aleutian Disease infecting two new mink farms in Labrador could have been preventable had government been stricter with protocols and she is calling for a compensation package for the affected farmers. (Full Release)


MHA Parsons again implores minister to safeguard Burgeo Highway
July 13, 2007
 Liberal MHA for the District of Burgeo-Lapoile, Kelvin Parsons, is again urging the minister of transportation and works to cull the heavy brush along the Burgeo Highway (Route 480) given the high risk to travellers. Full Release)

Liberal Party commits to addressing aging Western Memorial Regional Hospital
July 12, 2007
 Gerry Reid, Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a third policy component of the Liberal Party’s election platform for the October 9th provincial general election continuing with his theme of New Liberalism, putting people first in Newfoundland and Labrador. Full Release)

Opposition urges Premier to act as health crisis deepens
July 11, 2007
 Liberal Opposition Health and Community Services Critic and MHA for the District of Humber Valley, Dwight Ball, says it=s now time for the premier to get involved and engage new leadership to help address the growing crisis in health care, particularly as it relates to the botched radiology review on the Burin Peninsula.  Full Release)

Opposition reiterates call for ministers to also step aside
July 10, 2007
 Liberal Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says   George Tilley=s resignation as president and CEO of Eastern Health is another indication government continues to use scapegoats rather than taking responsibility for its own leadership failures in the handling of  flawed breast cancer test results. Full Release)

Joyce calls on federal and provincial governments to share any cost overruns on water treatment plant
July 6, 2007
 Eddie Joyce, Opposition Transportation and Works Critic and MHA for the District of Bay of Islands, says the full cost of any overruns on the construction of the new water treatment plant for Corner Brook should not be the full responsibility of city residents, and as partners in this project the federal and provincial governments should share any potential cost overruns. (Full Release)

Ball asks government to update review of radiologist reports
July 5, 2007
 Dwight Ball, Opposition Health and Community Services Critic and MHA for the District of Humber Valley, is calling on government to provide an update on the reviews of radiologist reports currently taking place on the Burin peninsula and central Newfoundland. (Full Release)

Sweeney pleased that tenders to be called on Victoria water and sewer work
July 5, 2007
 George Sweeney, MHA for the District of Carbonear-Harbour Grace, is pleased that tenders will soon be called for the replacement of the lagoon in Victoria after a four year delay of the project by the present administration. The lagoon, which was built to help contain sewage, has surpassed its life expectancy and was a source of continual problems for the area. (Full Release)

 

LIBERAL PARTY

 NEWS

 

LEADER'S TOUR

Tuesday September 18, 2007 

Liberal Leader Gerry Reid will begin the morning at Memorial University in the District of St. John’s East and later participate in a panel discussion with Nurses being held at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s.  The Leader will then travel to Central Newfoundland with campaign stops along the way in Topsail, Conception Bay South and Trinity North.

 8:15 a.m.          Depart Confederation Building

8:25 a.m.          Arrive at Student Centre at Memorial University          St. John’s

 10:20 a.m.         Depart for Holiday Inn for Nurses discussion panel 

11:00 a.m.   Nurses  Discussion Panel Holiday Inn, St. John’s

12:15 p.m.         Depart Holiday Inn

12:45 p.m.         Arrive at Chamberlain’s Beach in Topsail District to meet with Liberal Candidates, Cynthia Layden-Barron and Jerry Young          

1:15 p.m.          Arrive Tim Hortons for lunch with Liberal Candidates, Cynthia Layden-Barron and Jerry Young

2:00 p.m.          Depart for Legion Road in Conception Bay South  

2:30 p.m.          Arrive at Legion Road  Conception Bay South                       

3:00 p.m.          Depart for Trinity North District 

5:30 p.m.          Arrive in Trinity North, Supper with Candidate Kathryn Small                        Clarenville Inn

 7:00 p.m.          Depart for Gander  

Overnight in Gander

-30-

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

 

The Leader’s Tour continues with campaign stops in Exploits and The Isles of Notre Dame

 

For tour information contact:

 

Headquarters     Kim Ploughman             689-7636

Tour                  Darrell Mercer                689-4295

Email:               tour@nlliberals.ca

 ---------------------------------------

News Release 

Monday September 17, 2007

Today, Liberal Leader Gerry Reid will be announcing Liberal Policy in Mount Pearl and campaign through the day in the Districts of Bellevue and Port de Grave.

 8:00 a.m.        Depart Confederation Building for Mount Pearl

 8:30 a.m.        Announcement at the Motor Vehicle Registration Parking Lot in Mount Pearl

 9:00 a.m.        Depart Mount Pearl for Arnold’s Cove in Bellevue District

 10:30 a.m.      Meet and Greet with Denise Pike and Seniors Group Arnold’s Cove

 11:30 a.m.      Depart Arnold’s Cove for Whitbourne

 12:00 p.m.      Lunch at Monty’s Restaurant                 Whitbourne

1:00 p.m.        Depart Whitbourne for South Dildo 

1:15 p.m.        Tour at Carino & Company                     South Dildo

 1:45 p.m.        Depart for Port de Grave District 

2:30 p.m.        Arrive in the community of Port de Grave

                        Door to Door with Roland Butler, Liberal Candidate

 3:30 p.m.        Depart Port de Grave

 3:45 p.m.        Arrive Beaver  Plaza Bay Roberts

4:15 p.m.        Depart Beaver Plaza 

4:25 p.m.        Arrive Pentecostal Senior Citizens Home                        Clarke’s Beach 

4:45 p.m.        Depart Pentecostal Senior Citizens Home 

4:50 p.m.        Arrive Collingwood Downs Seniors Home                        Clarke’s Beach

5:15 p.m.        Depart Collingwood Downs Seniors Home 

5:30 p.m.        Arrive Powell’s Supermarket          Bay Roberts

6:00 p.m.        Jungle Jims for Supper                      Bay Roberts

 6:55 p.m.        Depart Jungle Jims for Liberal Headquarters              Conception Bay Highway, Bay Roberts

7:00 p.m.        Official Opening of Port de Grave District Headquarters           Bay Roberts

 7:30 p.m.        Depart for St. John’s

 

Overnight in St. John’s

 

-30-

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 18, 2007 

The Leader’s Tour begins in St. John’s North and continues with the Leaders participation in a Nurses Panel discussion, followed by campaigning in Conception East-Bell Island, Topsail, Conception Bay South and Trinity North.

 

For tour information contact:

 

Headquarters            Kim Ploughman         689-7636

Tour                            Darrell Mercer           689-4295

Email:                         tour@nlliberals.ca

 -------------------------------------------------

Let's get it started!

Liberal Leader, Gerry Reid will be launching the 2007 Election Campaign in St. John’s on Sunday September 16th. 

Mr. Reid will also visit the Headquarters of St. John’s West Liberal Candidate, George Joyce, before proceeding to a Rally in Mount Pearl. 

Sunday September 16, 2007

 2:00 p.m.          Campaign Launch, Southside Road, St. John’s -    Between DWI Services Building and Centre for CNG 

2:45 p.m.    Depart Southside Road for George Joyce’s Headquarters, Liberal Candidate for St. John’s West

3:00 p.m.          Official Opening of George Joyce’s Hdqts - 655 Topsail Road, St. John’s 

3:30 p.m.          Depart for Centennial Square, Mount Pearl                       

3:45 p.m.          Arrive at Bill and Elaine Reid’s Headquarters for Rally -    46 Bannister Street, Mount Pearl (Adjacent to City Hall)

 Overnight in St. John’s

 

For tour information contact:

Headquarters:

Kim Ploughman   689-7636

Tour: Darrell Mercer 689-4295

Email:                           tour@nlliberals.ca

------------------------------------------

Liberal Party addressing needs of Labrador

Gerry Reid, Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced today another policy component of the Liberal Party’s election platform for the October 9th provincial general election continuing with the theme of New Liberalism, putting people first in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

In previous policy statements, Reid announced the elimination of the provincial portion of the HST on all types of home heating; decreasing the cost of motor vehicle registrations; reducing the provincial gas tax; eliminating the 15 per cent insurance tax; addressing aging health care infrastructure, especially Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook; and the establishment of a Prosperity Fund to share the wealth of oil and gas revenues to all regions of our province. 

“The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to giving Labrador its fair share of financial investment into infrastructure and services,” said Mr. Reid. “The people of Labrador have felt for some time that general provincial coffers have benefited far more from their resource projects than they have benefited themselves. A Liberal Government is committed to ensuring that Labradorians see direct benefits from the revenues generated by resource projects in their region. 

“As a result, I am announcing today that a Liberal Government will establish a Building Labrador Fund in which $1 billion in royalties from Labrador resource projects will be placed for investment back into Labrador initiatives over a ten-year period.”

 Reid noted that major resource development has been taking place throughout Labrador for several decades. Whether it is power from the Upper Churchill, iron ore mines in Labrador West or Voisey’s Bay, resource projects have been generating many millions of dollars for the provincial treasury. It is anticipated that additional mining and power projects in Labrador will be developed over the next twenty years. 

“While Labrador resources have been generating wealth for the provincial government for decades, many of the basic infrastructure needs of the region have not been addressed, such as the building and paving of roads and water and sewer. The Liberal Party recognizes that Labradorians have not been getting their fair share and will act to address this inequity, and ensure that the infrastructure needs of Labrador receive attention. 

“Our Party feels that the needs and interests of people dealing with ordinary, day-to-day issues have been forgotten by the PC government and that is the reason why the Liberal Party is putting the needs of people first.”

September 13, 2007

------------------------------------------

September 15, 2007

Call for Nominations

Port au Port

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, is pleased to announce that nominations will close for the District of Port au Port on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 12 Noon. Should more than one person file nomination papers in this district, a follow up vote will be announced later.

All nomination forms are to be submitted to the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador at

Suite 205, Beothuck Building, 20 Crosbie Place, St. John==s, NL A1B 3Y8

For further information, please contact Rex Gibbons , Campaign Chair (709) 685.4665.

==================

September 14, 2007

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, is pleased to announce that nominations will close for the Districts of St. John==s Centre & Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 12 Noon. Should more than one person file nomination papers in this district, a follow up vote will be announced later.

All nomination forms are to be submitted to the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador at

Suite 205, Beothuck Building, 20 Crosbie Place, St. John==s, NL A1B 3Y8

For further information, please contact Rex Gibbons , Campaign Chair (709) 685.4665.

____________________

 Small: New Candidate for Trinity North
The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, is pleased to announce that nominations closed today in the District of Trinity North and Kathryn Small will be the Liberal Candidate in the October 2007 General Election.

For further information, please contact:

Rex Gibbons BB Campaign Chair

Tel: 709.685.4665

-------------------------------

Opposition Leader to hold news conference in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Opposition Leader Gerry Reid will be holding a news conference on Friday, September 14th, at 12:00pm at the Hamilton Hotel in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, 382 Hamilton River Road.

Reid will announce policy direction heading into the October provincial general election.

Media representatives are invited to attend.

Media Contact: Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition tel: (709) 729-6151 or (709) 687-0477

---------------------------------------------------------------

Chris Montague: Candidate for Lake Melville

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador is pleased to announce that Chris Montague will represent the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador in the District of Lake Melville in the October 9th general election.

For further information call:
Rex Gibbons – Campaign Chair
709.685.4665 (cell)

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

 

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador is pleased to announce that nominations will close at 3:00pm on Friday, September 14, 2007 for the District of Trinity North.  Should more than one candidate submit nomination forms, voting will be announced at a later date. 
 

All nomination forms to be submitted to the Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador at 20 Crosbie Place, 2nd Floor in the Beothuck Building, St. John’s. 

For further information call:

Rex Gibbons – Campaign Chair
 709.685.4665 (cell)

 +++++++++++++++++++++

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador is pleased to announce that nominations will close at 12:00 Noon on Friday, September 14, 2007 for the District of Labrador West.  Should more than one candidate submit nomination forms, voting will be announced at a later date. 
 

All nomination forms to be submitted to the Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador at 20 Crosbie Place, 2nd Floor in the Beothuck Building, St. John’s.

For further information call:

Rex Gibbons – Campaign Chair

709.685.4665 (cell)

 

 ============

Bill Tapper: Candidate for Cape St. Francis

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce that at the close of nominations at 12:00 Noon today Mr. William (Bill) Tapper will be the Liberal Candidate for the District of Cape St. Francis in the October 2007 General Election.

For further information call:

Rex Gibbons-Campaign Chair 709.685.4665 (cell)

============

Nominations closed and candidates named in the following districts for the October General Election

Rex Gibbons, Campaign Chair, has announced the following candidates will represent the Liberal Party in the October General Election.

Baie Verte-Springdale - Mr. Glendon Bungay

Bay of Islands - Mr. Eddie Joyce

Bellevue - Ms. Denise Pike

Bonavista North - Mr. Winston Carter

Burgeo-Lapoile - Mr. Kelvin Parsons

Burin-Placentia West - Mr. George Brake

Cape St. Francis - Mr. Bill Tapper

Carbonear-Harbour Grace - Mr. Paul  Baldwin

Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair - Ms. Yvonne Jones

Conception Bay East-Bell Island - Dr. Linda Goodyear

Conception Bay South - Mr. Jerry Young

Exploits - Ms. Jody Fancey

Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune - Mr. Elvis Loveless

Grand Bank  - Mr. Rod Cake

Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans  - Dr. Gerry Tobin

Grand Falls-Windsor, Green Bay South - Mr. Aubrey Smith

Humber Valley - Mr. Dwight Ball

Lake Melville - Mr. Chris Montague

Mount Pearl North - Mrs. Elaine Reid

Mount Pearl South - Mr. Bill Reid

Port au Port - Machelle Felix-Morgan

Port de Grave - Mr. Roland Butler

Signal_Hill-Quidi_Vidi - Ms. Maura Beam

St. Barbe - Mr. Jim Bennett

Straits-White Bay - Mr. Boyd Noel

St. John's East - Captain Peter Adams

St. John's Centre - Ms. Lori Cambell-Martino

St. John's North - Mr. Simon Lono

St. John's West - Mr. George Joyce

The Isles of Notre Dame - Mr. Gerry Reid

Topsail - Ms. Cynthia Layden-Barron

Trinity North  - Ms. Kathryn Small

Torngat Mountains:  Mr. Danny Dumaresque

Trinity-Bay de Verde - Mr. Bruce Layman

For further information call Rex Gibbons. 709-754-1813 (0)  709-685-4665 (c)

 

Liberal Party proposes the establishment of a Prosperity Fund

Gerry Reid, Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a fourth policy component of the Liberal Party’s election platform for the October 9th provincial general election continuing with his theme of New Liberalism, putting people first in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

In previous policy statements, Reid announced the elimination of the provincial portion of the HST on all types of home heating; decreasing the cost of motor vehicle registrations; reducing the provincial gas tax; eliminating the 15 per cent insurance tax; and addressing aging health care infrastructure, especially Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook.  

“Rural Newfoundland and Labrador has been forgotten by the PC government over the past four years,” said Mr. Reid. “The premier misled the province when he said he had a plan for rural areas. Four years later, we have only witnessed service reductions, layoffs and the depopulation of our rural communities. Outmigration is taking place at an alarming rate. The Liberal Party recognizes that a prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador needs a strong and vibrant rural economy. To achieve this, government must ensure that appropriate services and opportunities are in place to encourage people to remain in rural areas and attract new people to move into these regions.  

“Many people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have stated that they are not seeing the benefits of their oil and gas resources, especially those in rural areas. Our New Liberalism Plan ensures that everyone in the province benefits from oil and gas resource development.  That is why we are announcing that a Liberal Government will establish a Prosperity Fund in which a percentage of oil and gas revenues will be directed in a three-way economic strategy to create progress and prosperity for the future. This fund will be used to strengthen services and opportunities, while directing oil and gas benefits to all regions of our province.” 

Mr. Reid states that the projected revenues over the next decade from our oil and gas resources presents a special opportunity, first, to address our social and infrastructure deficit; second, to stimulate business development; and third, to pay down debt. 

“A designated percentage of the Prosperity Fund will be used for specific initiatives such as strengthening services for our people, an initiative that will ensure that all regions of our province have strong and immediate access to necessities such as healthcare and education. Funding will be set aside to ensure that specialized equipment and the recruitment and retention of health care professionals, especially in rural areas, is addressed. It will ensure that educational opportunities are available to all students, regardless of where they live in the province. 

“Other aspects of this strategy will include funding to alleviate unnecessary costs faced by the business community; provide incentives that would encourage new growth and economic development; and establish a more aggressive business attraction and development initiative. This will ensure that businesses see the benefit of special initiatives that will make doing business in our province more attractive. 

“The third component of this strategy involves addressing fiscal priorities such as debt servicing. This province will see increased benefits from our offshore oil and gas resources in the coming years and we must act now to address priorities for our people.  Oil revenues have a certain lifespan and addressing these priority issues should be of greatest importance. Unlike the premier’s approach, we will grow these revenues once a Liberal government reaches strong agreements on Hebron/Ben Nevis and Hibernia South. If we continue with the current trend of refusing to negotiate, I fear there will be no further deals and oil revenues will drop significantly in the coming years.” 

Reid predicts that between 30 and 40 per cent of oil and gas royalties will be placed in the Prosperity Fund, but cautioned that a full review of royalty projections would have to take place before a definitive percentage can be finalized.  

“The establishment of this fund is a strategic investment that defines what the Liberal Party will do with a percentage of oil and gas revenues while we are experiencing this period of prosperity. Currently, the PC government has shown no defined plan and act on an ad hoc basis when making funding decisions. 

“By establishing this Prosperity Fund, all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in all regions of our province will benefit. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve to see direct benefit from their oil and gas wealth.  Today’s announcement is one piece of a plan that will distribute oil and gas wealth throughout the entire province and help rejuvenate rural areas. The Williams Government has forgotten that the key to strengthening rural communities is providing necessary government services, not cutting them as has happened over the past four years. Our Party feels that the needs and interests of people dealing with ordinary, day-to-day issues have been forgotten by the PC government and that is the reason why the Liberal Party is putting the needs of people first.”

---------August 10, 2007

Liberal Party commits to addressing aging Western Memorial Regional Hospital

Gerry Reid, Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a third policy component of the Liberal Party’s election platform for the October 9th provincial general election continuing with his theme of New Liberalism, putting people first in Newfoundland and Labrador

- See Full Release to left or in archives

 

Liberal Party brings forth policy package to benefit consumers

Gerry Reid, Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a second component of the Liberal Party’s election platform for the October 9th provincial general election continuing with his theme of New Liberalism, putting people first in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Earlier this month, Reid put forth the first piece of the Liberal Party platform, the elimination of the provincial portion of the HST on all types of home heating. Today, the Liberal Leader announced a package for consumers, specifically those who drive and are experiencing great hardship because of the excessive cost of vehicle registrations, high gas prices and insurance. 

“With the support of the people, our Party is announcing three initiatives that will be implemented if we are elected on October 9th,” said Mr. Reid. “For many people in this province, vehicle usage is an everyday necessity and a costly one. That is why I am today committing that a Liberal Government will address these costs and help the consumers of this province.” 

The Liberal Leader pointed out that after its election in 2003, the Williams’ Government increased every fee in the province. One of those fees was a $40 increase to motor vehicle registrations from $140 per year to $180 per year. “A Liberal Government will remove this unnecessary tax grab, decrease this fee by $40 per year and return the cost back to the pre-Williams level of $140 per year,” said Mr. Reid.

 “Another major complaint we are hearing from consumers is the increasing cost of gasoline. Predictions are that gasoline prices will continue to rise over the summer and consumers could pay anywhere between $1.30 and $1.50 per litre. While the provincial government is making billions of dollars from our offshore oil and gas, the average consumer in this province is not seeing the benefits of these resources. Not only do we have some of the highest gasoline prices in the country, we also have the highest gasoline taxes. We currently pay a 16.5 cent per litre gasoline tax, which is higher than any other Atlantic Canadian province. We believe this tax burden is too high and that is why a Liberal Government will reduce the provincial gas tax by 4.5 cents per litre to 12 cents. This will make our province more competitive with our Atlantic counterparts.

 “Many consumers in this province may not be aware, but Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in the country that charges a special 15 per cent tax on insurance. This is not just an added cost for vehicle owners; it is also paid on other types of insurance as home owners and small business people also pay this unnecessary tax. We believe this is unfair and we will work to eliminate the 15 per cent tax on insurance in the first three years of our mandate. In year one, we will drop the tax by 5 per cent. In year two, we will drop the rate by another five per cent. In year three, we will eliminate the tax altogether.

“Reducing the cost of vehicle registration, reducing the gas tax, and eliminating the tax on insurance will help deal with some of the rising costs facing consumers, and make our province more competitive for all sectors of our economy. Our Party feels that the needs and interests of people dealing with ordinary, day-to-day expenses have been forgotten by the PC government and that is reason why the Liberal Party is putting the needs of people first.”

June 28,2007

 

 

 

Visit the Memorial University Liberal Web Site at
www.munliberals.ca

(or click the logo below)

Federal Caucus
(click photo
for contact info)



Scott Simms, MP
Bonavista-Gander-
Grand Falls-Windsor


Bill Matthews, MP
Random-Burin-St. George's


Gerry Byrne, MP
Humber-St. Barbe-
Baie Verte

 

 

 

Todd Russell, MP
Labrador

 Senators
(click photo for contact info)

  
   Hon. George Baker

  
   Senator Joan Cook

  
Senator George Furey

 
Hon William Rompkey

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