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Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank, is pleased that Premier
Williams has finally recognized the need for representation from the Burin
Peninsula at the provincial cabinet table. "The Burin Peninsula has been
all but forgotten by this government over the past two and a half years,"
said Ms. Foote. "Fishery Products International (FPI) recently laid out a
major restructuring plan that will negatively impact our entire region. In
excess of one thousand people will be without work if FPI is allowed to
proceed with its plans. The lack of work at the Cow Head Fabrication
Facility and Shipyard in Marystown has seen the workforce drop dramatically.
Since 2003, these issues have not received the appropriate level of
attention from this government. In addition, this government has closed
offices resulting in more unemployment on the Burin Peninsula.
"I am hopeful that the addition of a cabinet representative from the
Burin Peninsula will provide government with a new perspective on our
regional issues. Mr. Jackman certainly knows the challenges facing our
communities and the impact that service reductions and layoffs will have on
our region. If this appointment was made earlier, instead of being reactive
to current circumstances, government may have been better prepared to deal
with issues such as FPI. Instead, the people on the Burin Peninsula are
living in misery, fearful of what the future holds and no assurances from
the Williams government that it is prepared to hold FPI accountable.
"Now that we finally have a voice in cabinet, the MHA for Burin-Placentia
West must ensure that our issues are given priority by this government
instead of being relegated to the back burner. As a former cabinet minister,
I know the influence that a minister can have on government decisions.
Having suffered from not having cabinet representation, Mr. Jackman can help
turn things around. A good start would be ensuring the government does not
let FPI off the hook. Undoubtedly Mr. Jackman’s heart is in the right place,
but it is crucial that the MHA for Burin-Placentia West become a strong
voice for the people on the Burin Peninsula if we are to see a difference as
a result of his appointment. In this case, he needs to not only be seen, but
heard to be effective. "
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