|
|||||
| Return to 2005 News Releases | |||||
|
|
News
Release |
||||
|
Parsons disappointed with changes to Order of Newfoundland
and Labrador selection committee December 6, 2005
|
|||||
|
Kelvin Parsons, Opposition House Leader and MHA for the District of
Burgeo-Lapoile, says amendments passed last night to the Order of
Newfoundland and Labrador Act diminish the non-political nature and
accomplishment of receiving the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. The
amendments will remove the Chief Justice of the Newfoundland and Labrador
Supreme Court and the President of Memorial University from the selection
committee and replace them with political appointments made by the Premier. The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador was created in 2001 to honour Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have made significant contributions to our province. Anyone can make nominations for this award and the selection was made by an Advisory Committee, made up of 7 persons - 4 chosen by the Premier, the Clerk of the Executive Council, the President of Memorial University and chaired by the Chief Justice of Newfoundland and Labrador. "I was very disappointed that the Premier decided to remove the two non-partisan positions from the selection committee for this prestigious award," said Mr. Parsons. "Our selection process was patterned after the process used by The Order of Canada which includes the Chief Justice of Canada and the Chair of the Federation of Universities. By removing these two positions and allowing the Premier to make the extra two appointments takes away from the non-biased and non-partisan nature of this award. "This decision by government is blatant political interference. The abilities, the talents, the accomplishments and contributions of the recipients of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador should never be tarnished and tainted. Everyone in the province should have equal opportunity to receive this award, not only those who are friends of the Premier and the PC Party. We have witnessed too many of these appointments to government positions over the past two years. This award is too important to be tarnished in the same manner."
|
|||||
|
Media Contact: |
|||||
