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News
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Latest government appointments nothing more than crass
political patronage November 16, 2005
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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says the recent appointment of Joan Cleary as
President of the Bull Arm Site Corporation, and Bruce Peckford and Ralph
Tucker to the Workplace, Health, Safety Compensation Commission (WHSCC) is
nothing more than crass political patronage. These appointments can be added
to a long list of political patronage appointments made by the Premier since
taking office. "Premier Williams is the same individual who stated in Opposition that he would appoint the most qualified people to government positions," said Mr. Reid. "He was very critical of the former administration for making political appointments, however, since taking office it appears his favourite hobby has become appointing his friends and associates to government positions, boards and agencies. "Joan Cleary is not qualified to be the President of the Bull Arm Site Corporation. She has no experience in marketing and attracting national and international fabrication companies to set up shop in this province. Over the past few years, this job has been undertaken by senior government officials. It is shameful to reward an unqualified political friend with such an important position that has such an economic impact on the province. "In addition, the Premier appointed two more of his political friends to head up the WHSCC. Both Bruce Peckford and Ralph Tucker have strong ties to the Progressive Conservative Party. Are their appointments in the best interests of injured workers in this province? "I would suspect that the Premier is rewarding his political friends in an effort to silence criticism of his government. By placing friends in high profile and key roles with government departments, boards and agencies, he is silencing any criticism that may come forward. This will allow him to accomplish his ultimate goal of avoiding criticism while keeping his political friends happy. This is certainly not what was promised by the Premier two short years ago."
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