(December 2, 2021) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, says today’s Auditor General’s report shows the Liberal government’s total disregard for promises they made to Labrador Indigenous populations.

On Thursday, the Auditor General released her report on the failure of the Liberal government to cap the wetlands at the Muskrat Falls reservoir. We thank the Auditor General for her thorough review, which was sparked after repeated calls by the PC Official Opposition Caucus.

“The Liberal government has once again demonstrated their disrespect for Labrador Indigenous groups, as shown through the findings of this report. It’s clear there was never any intention to cap the wetlands at the Muskrat Falls reservoir, despite repeated public calls to do so,” said Brazil.

“The Liberal government made the choice to ignore key recommendations of the Independent Experts Advisory Committee, which was established in partnership with Labrador Indigenous groups. The word of the Liberals to the Indigenous groups was empty. It is shameful.”

The report highlights how multiple Liberal Ministers, many of whom remain in cabinet, failed in their duty to take the concerns of Indigenous peoples seriously and act on the agreed upon recommendations.

“Minister Lisa Dempster’s Department of Indigenous Affairs did not cooperate with the Auditor General’s review of this important matter. Not only has this Liberal government failed to take the concerns of Labrador Indigenous groups seriously in the past, the behaviour continues in the present,” said Brazil.

“Minister Dempster needs to address why she allowed her office to obstruct the Auditor General in this review. The Minister’s obstruction is shameful and a total disregard for the concerns of the Indigenous peoples of Labrador.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca