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Judy Foote, Opposition Critic for Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
and MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says it is more apparent than ever
that the Department of Business is not managed as effectively and as smartly
as it should be given its critical role in promoting economic development in
this province.
The Liberal MHA says that in a recent Independent article at the end of
July, the minister of business revealed that six areas were designated as
urban centers of development. In a press release last week, Foote asked the
minister to explain these designations and also explain why certain regions
were completely overlooked. Not only did the minister remain surprisingly
silent, it now appears from media reports that he has denied making
reference to these urban hubs.
"Clearly, there is a conflicting message coming from the minister and it
reinforces the sense that this is a lame department that serves no purpose
and has little or no idea why it even exists," states Foote. "To have a
minister stating what appears to be a significant component of an economic
development strategy one week, and then reportedly denying it is a sure sign
that this department is simply a waste of taxpayer dollars headed now by a
minister who obviously doesn't know what he is doing. It certainly is
questionable whether he is qualified to continue in this leadership role at
a time when the province needs leaders who will attract investors. If he is
saying one thing one day and denying it the next, that doesn't instil
confidence.
In questioning the productivity of the Department of Business since its
inception, Foote points out that the premier himself hardly gave a stellar
performance in handling this portfolio, and in the recent cabinet shuffle
opted to absolve himself of this responsibility. "Furthermore, when you
visit the department's website, one is struck by the fact that many of the
informational links have been non-operative for many months. This would not
signal to anyone looking to this province as a potential investment site
that we are a dynamic and bold place to do business and ready to embrace new
opportunities. For a government that sends out press releases announcing the
most minute of information, a review of the press releases issued by the
Department of Business shows just four releases in 2006 and only three in
2005, again indicating an abysmal lack of activity by this department.
"Maybe it is time the premier rethink his idea of establishing such a
department. Instead of continuing to load it up with bureaucracy and
replacing himself as minister with another MHA, he should disband it
entirely and use public funds more effectively. The budget for the
department would go a long way to help many of those in the rural areas of
our province who, through no fault of their own, are being forced to turn to
social services or leave the province if they can afford the ticket to
travel. It must be evident to the premier, as a former business person, that
this department is not getting the best bang for the taxpayers of this
province."
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