Office of the Official Opposition
Furey’s Cabinet Changes Show Tired, Failing Government: Wakeham
For Immediate Release
(July 22, 2024 St. John’s, N.L.) – Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham (MHA, Stephenville-Port au Port) said last week's extensive cabinet shuffle was a clear sign of widespread failure, fatigue, poor performance and non-confidence in the "tired, old Liberal government" of Premier Furey.
"This does nothing more than shuffle the same deck of cards and hope for a better hand," quipped Wakeham. “This is the same old tired Ministers’ the Premier has lost confidence in and has moved to a different portfolio. Meanwhile, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to be ignored and poorly served by a failed administration that lacks enough depth to deliver the real change people are crying out for. After nine years of Liberals, we will have a recycled Fisheries Minister and a failed Housing Minister for Rural Economic Development."
Wakeham lamented the last thing rural NL needs is another political tour by a Liberal Minister telling them how great things are.
"Having seen his rural support erode, the Premier has now named a rural economic development minister – but one who doesn't have a rural economic development department, or departmental personnel or a departmental budget, which means it's nothing more than a new sign over a door leading nowhere – the ultimate slap in the face to people in rural Newfoundland and Labrador feeling left behind by the Furey Liberals."
"People do not have access to healthcare, as the NLMA numbers confirmed last week. Almost 200,000 residents do not have a family doctor. Perhaps Minister Hutton will tour the various shuttered healthcare facilities and closed emergency rooms. More photo ops are the last thing people need."
Wakeham also criticized missed opportunities in Fisheries and Housing. He pointed out the revolving door of Housing Ministers while the former Comfort Inn remains 80% empty. Regarding Fisheries, Wakeham noted Gerry Byrne's past failures, including losing the surf clam quota from the Burin Peninsula and lack of progress on Joint Management, which the Premier has suddenly flip-flopped on.
"This isn't the real change people want. I'm ready to lead a new government with a clear purpose, new ideas, and a fresh team of ministers eager to tackle the challenges and deliver results for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."
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