(January 30, 2023, St. John’s) – Barry Petten, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Education and MHA for Conception Bay South, continues to express concern about the silence of the Minister of Education concerning the MUNL faculty strike.

“Classes are canceled, thousands of students have been left in a lurch while other students have the difficult decision to cross picket lines and the Liberal Government is missing-in-action.”

Petten noted the Liberal Government sat idly by for 10 months during the paramedic dispute then turned to legislation to finally intervene.

“Where is the Liberal Government? Where is the Minister of Education? Where is the Minister of Finance who ultimately controls the purse strings? Sadly, this Liberal Government continues their trend of being reactive versus proactive while students are paying the price.”

Petten reiterated his call from Friday.

“Has the Minister of Education picked up the phone to talk to the parties to try and help negotiations? Will the Minister schedule a meeting to kick start negotiations? We need someone in the Liberal Government to step up for students.”

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Contacts:

Denise Tubrett

Chief of Staff

(cell) 709-725-2594

Denisetubrett@gov.nl.ca