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Kelvin Parsons, Opposition House Leader and MHA for Burgeo-La Poile
District, questioned Premier Williams in the House of Assembly today about a
proposal he tabled to form an all party committee to bring provincial issues
to Federal Election candidates. Parsons is upset that the Premier wouldn’t
take the time to properly assess and move forward with the proposal. "All
indications out of Ottawa are that we are just days away from a federal
election call in this country," said Parsons. "As an opposition, we believe
it would be of benefit for the province to put forth a joint approach on
issues that are important to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The
Premier decided unilaterally that he would have no part of this initiative
and wishes to pursue the interests of the province on his own."
The Liberal MHA questioned why the government would not take every
opportunity to form a common front on issues of great importance. "The
resolution dealt with issues such as federal provincial agreements,
fisheries jurisdiction and development of the Lower Churchill. These are all
issues of greatest importance and by letting federal election candidates off
the hook, we are losing a great opportunity.
"The government has not effectively made the case to the Prime Minister
or our Members of Parliament for changes needed to ensure fairness for
Newfoundland and Labrador in the Canadian Federation. We are on the eve of a
Federal election and it is time action is taken."
Motion Related to the Federal Election
Whereas there is an impending Federal Election and many Federal -
Provincial issues need attention,
Whereas this province should be the principle beneficiary of offshore
resource revenue,
Whereas there is a need for improvements to the equalization program,
Whereas health and post secondary funding from the federal government
should be increased,
Whereas there is a need for improvements in the EI system,
Whereas the economy of this province is suffering because the federal
government is not willing take custodial management over the stocks off our
coast,
Whereas the joint management of the fishery is an important issue for the
future of this province,
Whereas there is a role for the Federal Government to play in the
development of the Lower Churchill,
Whereas there should be an increased Federal presence in the province,
Whereas there should be continued operation and marketing of 5 wing Goose
Bay,
Be it resolved that this House of Assembly supports the establishment of
an all party committee of this House to draft a policy document for
presentation and endorsement by all candidates in this province and the
Party leaders in the upcoming Federal Election.
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