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Minister Rideout using consultant's report as a smokescreen
to back away from election commitment September 29, 2005
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Eddie Joyce, MHA for the District of Bay of Islands, says Transportation
Minister Tom Rideout has hired a consultant in an effort to back away from
the PC party’s election commitment to build new provincial ferries using the
local workforce and facilities in this province.
In a story published in today’s Telegram, Minister Rideout confirmed that government has asked a consultant to look at acquiring used vessels from international markets as an option to replacing the aging provincial ferry fleet. This is an option that the PC Party stated they would not entertain over the past several years. "I find it very strange that Minister Rideout has asked a consultant to look at the purchase of used ferries from the international market," said Mr. Joyce. "This is the same minister who continuously stated that they would never make this type of purchase, and took every opportunity to criticize the former government for similar purchases. "This hiring of a consultant to develop a ferry replacement strategy is a waste of money. The studies have been done, the department already knows the problems that exist and what needs to be done to correct these problems. This is just another public relations exercise by this government to back away from another election commitment. I suspect the minister will use this report as justification as to why government is not willing to build replacement ferries in this province with local workers. Similar to the report on the Labrador ferry service, they will tailor the report to reflect their planned intentions. "Once again, Minister Rideout blames the previous government for every problem in his department. The PC Party made the commitment to replace the provincial ferry fleet using local shipyards and local workers. If he breaks this promise, as it certainly appears that he is preparing to do, I look forward to his excuse as to why it was the Liberals fault. It is time for this minister to take responsibility for his department and actually do something for the people of the province. Eventually, the minister will no longer be able to deflect criticism to others, but will be held accountable for his lack of action on transportation issues. I will continue to pressure this government to ensure this commitment is kept."
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