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Roland Butler, Opposition critic for Human Resource
Employment is again calling on government to release the details of exactly
when 20 HRE offices will close around this province and what transitional
plans have been put in place to ensure there are no undue problems caused
for clients. "Earlier this month I publicly
called on the minister to release the details of when the 20 district
offices around this province would close and so far there has been no reply.
I am very surprised at how difficult it is to get information from this
government which promised openness and accountability when they were
campaigning in the election," said Butler.
The Liberal Critic says as we approach the time when
these offices will actually close the public should be given the details so
there is no confusion or disruption of service. "We opposed these office
closures and we certainly have concerns about what will happen to clients as
these offices close. You need only look at the mess that has been created by
this government in driver testing and motor vehicle registration to see what
kind of problems can be created if the proper provisions are not put in
place."
Butler was referring to the fact that layoffs and
office closures in the Department of Government Services have led to long
waiting times at motor vehicle registration and delays of up to two months
for people wanting to do a road test to get a licence. "In the case of the
HRE offices, we are dealing with some of the most vulnerable people in our
society, and government should be very clear on what provisions they have
put in place to avoid similar problems developing in this department."
"We certainly oppose these office closures and the
evidence we have is that the government did not do any kind of comprehensive
study before announcing these cuts. If there was any detailed analysis of
the factors done to determine what offices would close the Minister should
release that as well. I would like to know if they considered such options
as keeping offices open in rural areas of the province? Did they look at
factors such as differences in the cost of office space? Did they consider
increased travel costs which might be charged to the government?"
On May 11th of this year government issued
a news release confirming they would close offices in: Bay Roberts,
Conception Bay South, Ferryland, St. Mary’s, Whitbourne, Bay L’Argent,
Botwood, Gambo, Grand Bank, Harbour Breton, Fogo, Wesleyville, Bonne Bay,
Burgeo, Englee, Deer Lake, Piccadilly, Stephenville Crossing, Cartwright and
Forteau. |