"Premier Williams and Minister Tom Marshall committed to constructing a long-term care facility for the Corner Brook area within their four year mandate," said Mr. Joyce. "Over a year has already passed and we have not witnessed any tangible work taking place on this necessary facility. The Premier has also started using language that suggests this facility may not be built within a four year period. This is not acceptable and the Premier must be held to his commitment.

"During the spring, government claimed that they had two potential sites selected for the construction of this facility and a down payment would be made to secure the land. However, I have since received a letter from the Mayor of Corner Brook who is seeking information related to a potential site for the long-term care facility. There have been no discussions or correspondence with the Department of Works, Services and Transportation pertaining to this site since December of last year. Before any site is selected, the city must give their approval in principle. It is obvious from this correspondence that no site has been selected by the province.

"The former Minister of Health, Elizabeth Marshall, stated it would take up to two years to complete design work before construction could take place. There was a commitment in the House of Assembly by the former minister that I would receive notification once a consultant was hired to oversee this project. I have not received any notification to date. Before any construction work can take place, design work must be completed. This work has to be done by an engineering firm that has not yet been selected. I am very concerned with the lack of progress on this facility. It appears that no site has been chosen and no work has actually been completed.

"I am also very concerned with the silence of the two city representatives on the long-term care committee. Councillors Neville Greeley and Charles Pender have been non-existent on this file and I believe they are doing a great injustice to the people of Corner Brook by remaining silent on this issue and letting government delay this project.

"I am asking Minister Sullivan to allocate the entire funding for this project during the next budget year to ensure there are no further delays. The Premier is on record as saying the Prime Minister should resign if he breaks his commitment to this province on the Atlantic Accord. I suggest the Premier heed his own advice and do the same if he breaks his election commitment to the people of Corner Brook."