"In budget documents presented to the Official Opposition, the government announced that they were closing most driver examination offices in rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Jones. "When we examined the locations and presented the findings to government, they had no other choice than to reverse the decision. It is the pressure being put on the government that is forcing them to backtrack on some of these choices.

"The fact that these decisions were made in the first place is indicative of the water street government that is running this province. In a press release today, Minister Whalen confirmed that she is closing 21 offices around the province for a total savings of just $100,000. I ask her today, how much will it cost residents to travel to other offices to receive services? Much more than $100,000 I say to her. This government has no conception of rural life whatsoever."

The Liberal MHA is also upset with actions by Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Paul Shelly who questioned her integrity as a Member of the House of Assembly in a news release last week.

"Mr. Shelly is fully aware that his department provided me with documentation stating that cuts to the Labrador travel subsidy for high school athletics would occur. I am delighted that this decision has also been reversed, but I am quite upset with the attitude of the Minister and his colleagues. I have asked for an apology from the Minister for providing false information through the Freedom of Information Act."