With the news of lawyer Bern Coffey leaving his role on the Churchill Falls team prior to the debate in the House of Assembly, NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) is calling on the Premier to abide by his own words and release the information around Coffey’s release.
After being first elected in October 2025, Premier Wakeham released the resignation letter of Michael Wilson – a member of the Liberal’s Negotiation Oversight Panel. In the Premier’s statement on the release, he stated he made this decision, “to help provide greater clarity and understanding of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Wilson’s departure.” Dinn is now calling on Wakeham to do just that with Coffey.
“There could be many reasons why Mr. Coffey decided to step away from the team, but this is not about Mr. Coffey, it’s about the Premier once again refusing to be transparent with the public,” said Dinn. “Now that Wakeham is Premier, he seems to have done a complete 180 from when he was in opposition – far less willing to provide important information to the public. Even the hiring of Mr. Coffey and Mr. Kennedy was kept from the public until it was discovered months later. I have to wonder, what else is the Premier keeping from the people of this province?”
“People are already feeling let down by this government, and refusing to provide answers will only deepen that mistrust. The Premier must do as he did in 2025 and provide ‘greater clarity and understanding’ about the departure of his own handpicked member of the team.”
Dinn says that the PCs use transparency and accountability as buzzwords, while their actions paint a different story. He says it’s time for the Premier to show true leadership and do as he did with Mr. Wilson and inform the public of why.
“The Premier stated, ‘Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve access to the information that informs decisions affecting our province. I remain committed to open and honest communication as we move forward.’ So, I believe it’s time the Premier stand by his own words and stop being so secretive with the public around the biggest deal in this province’s history.”