NEWS RELEASE

                                                                                       Office of the Official Opposition

January 28, 2010
For Immediate Release

Parsons challenges Prime Minister to update people of the province on possible missile launch

On the eve of a meeting between Prime Minster Stephen Harper and Premier Danny Williams, Opposition House Leader and MHA for the District of Burgeo-Lapoile, Kelvin Parsons, is challenging the prime minister to come clean and provide the people of Newfoundland and Labrador with a clear explanation of what caused the incident that occurred in the skies off the south coast of the province on Tuesday evening.

Reports and photos have shown that a possible missile was launched in the waters off the Burin Peninsula on Tuesday evening. While media reports out of France have indicated that this may have been a ballistic missile test from the French military, the Canadian Government is providing no updates on the incident.

“There is so much mystery surrounding this incident that people are becoming very concerned,” said Mr. Parsons. “Some reports are now suggesting that French ballistic missiles were launched just off our coast. If these reports are true, there are many questions that need to be answered regarding jurisdiction, public safety, lack of public notices and whether this will happen again. If there is some other explanation as to exactly what took place and why, I am certain the people of the province would appreciate the facts.

“The silence from the federal government on this issue is allowing rumours to run rampant and is certainly creating concern for people living in the area. What is needed is some up-front honesty as to what caused this situation and whether there was any potential threat to residents. If this incident was caused by another nation, what has been Canada’s reaction?  Without any answers forthcoming from the federal government, it is vital that the Prime Minister be forced to provide an update to the people tomorrow during his visit to our province.”

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