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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says comments made by Premier Williams this
morning on CBC Radio were inappropriate and he is calling on the premier to
apologize for the negative comments he made towards the Newfoundland Ocean
Industries Association (NOIA). In a radio interview this morning, the
premier was upset that NOIA has a press conference scheduled for this
afternoon to outline the negative economic impacts on the province if the
Hebron-Ben Nevis project does not proceed. In his comments, the premier said
NOIA should be renamed "Annoya" if they disagree with his approach.
"Once again, we see another example of the premier’s
my-way-or-the-highway approach," said Mr. Reid. "The business community and
people involved in the oil and gas industry have major concerns that the
Hebron-Ben Nevis project is shelved indefinitely and the momentum in our
petroleum sector has slowed significantly. Instead of listening to these
concerns and looking for ways to address them, the premier launches into an
attack on these professional workers.
"It is time for this premier to listen to people instead of continuously
lashing out against those who disagree with his message. The industry has
been asking to have their viewpoint heard and have continuously been ignored
by this government. Similar to the situation happening in rural parts of our
province and the massive levels of outmigration, the premier is turning a
blind eye and would rather pretend the problem doesn’t exist than admit that
his approach and his leadership style are not working.
"It’s obvious that this premier has real problems negotiating with
private sector companies in this province. He had success dealing with a
minority government in Ottawa; however, since that time we have seen the
closure of the Abitibi mill in Stephenville, the closure of FPI’s fish
plants in Harbour Breton and Fortune, the refusal to discuss wind power with
Ventus Energy in Labrador, and the breakdown of negotiations on Hebron-Ben
Nevis. It is time for the so-called great negotiator to actually negotiate!
"Instead of attacking our business community and industry associations, I
suggest the premier listen to their concerns. It is obvious the premier
doesn’t have a solution for economic growth in this province, but efforts by
groups such as NOIA may certainly help."
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