Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John’s, NL (June 5, 2020) – PC Official Opposition AESL Critic and MHA for Topsail-Paradise, Paul Dinn, is stressing that the time is now for government to provide a detailed plan with concrete actions that will ensure that the province’s labour force will recover from the unprecedented effect of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“Although the latest Labour Force Survey provides some hope there is still a long road ahead for Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans as we look to recover from the economic impact of this pandemic. The unemployment rate surged to 16 percent in April and today’s numbers indicate that we still have a long way to go. Government’s own reports like the McKinsey Report on an Economic Growth Strategy and the Goss Gilroy survey of expatriates stress the need for long-term, meaningful employment to grow our economy. With unemployment reaching/surpassing levels not seen since 2008 residents need to see a plan that will provide hope and confidence that there is a future for them in our province,” said Dinn.

The Labour Force Survey, in order to provide a better measure of the effect of the COVID-19 economic shutdown, has looked at additional impact areas and this is not lost on Dinn.

“The latest data continues to show groups such as immigrants, vulnerable populations and sectors such as goods and services and construction are hugely affected. Many small businesses are struggling and temporary employment opportunities have been decimated. Our population will continue to decline as our working age residents with their young families leave for greener pastures.”

“We will not have a labour force to draw from if we do not provide opportunities for meaningful long term employment with a well thought out plan. What is government planning for post-COVID to create jobs, increase our population and ensure our small businesses thrive?”

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Policy and Research

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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