(October 26, 2023, St. John’s): Tony Wakeham, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, says the people of the province have lost confidence in the Liberal Government’s response to the housing crisis – it’s time for the Housing Minister to resign.

“The housing crisis facing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians did not start two weeks ago. It did not start two months ago. As housing advocates and those experiencing homelessness have said again and again, it has been brewing for years,” said Wakeham.

“The Liberal Government’s first response was to do nothing. Then, they chose to confuse the people of the province by inflating their housing numbers. Then, they chose to send people living in tents to exactly what they feared the most: unsafe, uninspected shelters in deplorable condition. The people have lost confidence in this Minister. I have lost confidence in this Minister. It’s time for the Minister to resign.”

Wakeham says the Liberal Government has confused the housing crisis more than they have taken steps to resolve it.

“When there is confusion at a time of crisis, it shows a lack of leadership. At a time when people are experiencing homelessness in every corner of our province, when seniors can no longer afford to stay in their homes, when young couples are struggling to keep up with housing costs, we need confidence, not confusion, over the Liberal Government’s response,” said Wakeham.

“The people of our province are desperate for answers to this crisis. Instead, we see a lack of action and misleading statements from the Premier, Deputy Premier, and Housing Minister time and time again. The people of our province deserve leadership. It’s time for the Premier of our province to step up and take action to ensure leadership on this crucial issue.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca