Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John’s, NL (June 5, 2020) – PC Official Opposition Critic for Municipal Affairs & Environment and MHA for Grand Falls - Windsor Buchans, Chris Tibbs, today expressed outrage at the blatant political patronage in the awarding of firetrucks by Government.

“85% of the trucks announced by Minister Bragg were to Liberal Districts. This is simply unbelievable that the Minister would play politics with fire safety. Districts occupied by Ministers received the majority of all vehicles announced, with some receiving multiple trucks,” says Tibbs.

Tibbs was reacting to a CBC story Wednesday that indicated that 12 of 14 fire trucks announced by the Minister last month went to Liberal districts. Also appalling, was the fact that there were no fire trucks announced in Labrador.

“In February, we saw a house fire in Black Tickle that exposed the fact the community had no fire equipment whatsoever. Residents had to stand by and watch a family home burn to the ground. How can the Minister defend giving fire trucks to his Liberal colleagues while communities around this province lack even the most basic equipment such as a hose or water pump?”

“The Liberals continue shameless political patronage in everything they do: the hiring of cronies like Carla Foote, lucrative contracts to friends like Gordon McIntosh, and secret deals with numbered companies like the Canopy Growth deal. Is there no end to their political corruption?” asked Tibbs.

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Policy and Research

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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