News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

   

 

Reid calls Doug House appointment a farce

January 5, 2006

Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says the appointment of Doug House to head a committee to study the Premier’s other appointed economic development committees is nothing but a farce. Reid says this is another attempt by the Premier to pretend he has done something to promote economic development in the province, when in reality this government has done nothing.

"If the issue of economic development wasn’t so serious, today’s press release would be laughable," said Mr. Reid. "Once again, the Premier is feeling pressure to bring forth some economic policy, so to deflect attention away from himself he has appointed Doug House to head a committee to study his other economic development committees.

"So far the only thing we have seen from this government are task forces and committees formed to examine issues. The people of Harbour Breton, Stephenville, and other rural communities have not received any new economic development initiatives, only the promise of committees and task forces that have done nothing to address the real problems they are currently facing. It is time this Premier actually did something constructive instead of deflecting criticism at his lack of preparation and his lack of a plan.

"If this trend continues, the largest employer in rural Newfoundland and Labrador will be government committees. The Premier said he had a rural plan before the last election. Instead, all we see now are committees full of his friends and supporters. It has been over two years and it is time for this government to begin taking responsibility for their lack of action."

 

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6151 or 709-687-0477