The MHA for St. John’s East -Quidi Vidi was ejected from the House of Assembly following a testy exchange between NDP Leader Jim Dinn and Housing Minister Chris Tibbs.
Dinn was questioning government’s commitment to housing and homelessness and suggested the formation of an all-party committee to find solutions to the problem.
That notion was rejected by Minister Tibbs, leading to a heated exchange and an accusation of harassment that led to a Point of Privilege from the NDP Leader.
Tibbs addressed the House on the question of striking an all-party committee; “I will say this, we hope to get some more respect from the NDP, from the party across the way, than they’ve shown Newfoundland and Labrador Housing people in the past. We’ve had some disrespect shown to the people at Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, the people that do the work on the ground. I’m fed up with it Mr. Speaker, and if they truly want to work with this party, they’re going to show the people that work for me the respect that they deserve.”
NDP Leader Jim Dinn and Housing Minister Chris Tibbs (NL HoA/YouTube)
Dinn warned the minister to “be careful of his words, because they know bloody well what the issue is, it’s not with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, it has to do with this government.”
Minister Tibbs responded, accusing the NDP of “mistreating” his staff and calling them “entitled.”
Dinn rose on a Point of Privilege, followed by a Point of Order from Government House Leader Lloyd Parrott seeking the withdrawal of an accusation from Sheilagh O’Leary, that minister was speaking untruths.
She refused, and was ejected from the legislature by Speaker Paul Lane.
