The Minister of Labrador Affairs spoke passionately in the House of Assembly this afternoon, blaming ten years of previous Liberal government inaction for losses suffered in her district.
Soon after announcing a deal on Churchill Falls, the provincial government launched Team Labrador, led by minister Lela Evans, to fan out across the region to hear from Labradorians about their infrastructure priorities going forward.
Keith Russell (House of Assembly YouTube)
The MHA for Lake Melville, Keith Russell – who was a member of the the team – quit the PC caucus in September.
Opposition Labrador affairs critic Lisa Dempster sought an update on what the team is hearing and whether their findings will be tabled in the House of Assembly – but not before asking why the minister for Labrador was “so angry” in her responses.
Evans prickled at that suggestion.
“I was over in Opposition, I come from northern Labrador, I actually had to witness first-hand ten years of inaction. Where people were failed to be able to access health care. I actually have people now who are buried that would probably be alive if we had a good hospital system in northern Labrador.” Evans also outlined her difficulties in addressing the strain on constituents trying to heat their homes. “Failed Liberal promises, over and over and over again!”
Minister Evans says government is developing a website for virtual engagement, and Team Labrador has met with the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the local chamber of commerce and local Indigenous governments and come back for “real action.”
