Today, Newfoundland and Labrador NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) wrote to Tony Wakeham after receiving radio silence from the Premier about what how he intends to form the “independent” panel members for the MOU.
Dinn notes that tomorrow, December 12, marks one year since the MOU was unveiled at The Rooms by former Premier Furey and Quebec Premier Legault. He says that although the PC government continues to use the word “transparency,” it appears to be little more than a buzzword, given their unwillingness to demonstrate it in the formation of this panel.
“During our conversation at the swearing-in ceremony, I felt we had a positive conversation about the Churchill Falls MOU. I indicated my support of your commitment to an independent review process and the release of the unredacted version of Michael Wilson’s letter of resignation. I indicated that our party would be interested in further conversations, and I appreciated the invitation to discuss what an independent review panel would look like. I followed up with two emails on November 5 and 10,” Dinn wrote.
“Unfortunately, there was no commitment to or mention of the opportunity to meet and discuss the MOU, what the proposed oversight panel will look like, and if it will have the resources it needs to complete the task. We have called on your government to open the House of Assembly to inform MHAs and allow for public debate, but you have refused to do so.”
“Providing opposition MHAs the opportunity to recommend panel members would reassure us that your party is not engaged in a partisan exercise. It would bolster the independence and transparency of your new review committee and bring expertise and critical analysis to the team.”
The NL NDP has consistently maintained that this important MOU should not be treated as a political football. Dinn says that the PC government’s lack of openness about their plan, and their continued refusal to work with any members of the House of Assembly to achieve genuine transparency raises concerns that the issue will keep being kicked around, leaving the public even more confused than before.
A full copy of the letter is attached.