"While it may be important to exchange ideas and build relationships on missions such as the recent one to Ireland, Premier Williams should remember that it is also important to build relationships and exchange ideas with the people of this province," says Barrett.

The strategic partnership initiative was established to take the concept of collaboration among business, labour and government to a new level by providing a forum for building consensus on the major issues affecting the economy of the province as a whole. Its purpose was to help these partners to work more effectively together to meet the province’s economic challenges and capture its opportunities at a strategic, province-wide level.

"Part of what we can learn from the Irish model and other countries is the importance of building a spirit of co-operation within this province. So far, the Premier and the conservative government have failed miserably in this regard. They treat public employees with contempt and have created an adversarial climate within this province."

Barrett says he would like answers to the following questions:

Have the semi-annual meetings of business, labour and government been taking place?

Does the conservative government intend to continue funding for this initiative?

Are they committed to this process and do they see it moving forward?

Do they think this initiative can continue despite the climate created by the recent public sector strike and the legislation introduced to strip the contracts of public sector workers?