"Mr. Jackman stood on his feet in the House and had the audacity to imply that the people on the Burin Peninsula are in favour of the cuts the PC government has made to the education system," said Reid. "His words were that his constituents are ‘comfortable’ with the cuts being made to teachers and school boards. This is a stark contrast to the reports of outrage and disgust I have received from residents of his district.

"Before becoming an MHA Mr. Jackman was the Assistant Director of the Burin school board, and now he has turned his back on his former colleagues, teachers and students on the Burin Peninsula. He fully knows that the school board and staff on the Burin Peninsula will be terminated, resulting in job losses and decreased services for students.

"I cannot comprehend how any MHA who was elected to represent the interests of all his constituents could be ‘comfortable’ with job and service cuts in his district. This first round of cuts by the PC government will likely mean more than 40 teaching units will be cut from that area in addition to the board positions.

"I call on Clyde Jackman to publicly apologize to the people of the Burin Peninsula for his comments in the House of Assembly and take a stand for the students and teachers of his district."