Steve announces NL autonomy from Canada

Canada's New New Government Announces Autonomy Plan for Newfoundland-Labrador

St. John's, NL
April 1, 2009

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced Canada's New New Government's plan to give autonomy to Newfoundland-Labrador, initiating a process to select a new Premier.

"I do want to acknowledge the Premier of Newfoundland-Labrador, Mr. Danny Williams, who is with us here today and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours," the Prime Minister said. "I have written him personally and I want to thank him for his contribution to the Province."

Simultaneous with today's announcement, Prime Minister Harper announced twenty-four new appointments to the House of Assembly.

The newly-appointed MHA's are Max Ruelokke, Mike Duffy, Roger Grimes, Debbie Forward, Fabian Manning, Margaret Cameron, Liam O'Brien, Joyce Hancock, Tom Rideout, Loyola Sullivan, Chris Montague, Ed Hollett, Elizabeth May, Danny Dumaresque, Merv Wiseman, Eddie Joyce, Mark Griffin, Russell Wangersky, Rebecca Aldsworth, Loyola Hearn, John Efford, Craig Westcott, Gerry Reid, and Maureen Williams.

The Prime Minister also took this opportunity to thank the outgoing Members of the House of Assembly, Roger Fitzgerald, Jerome Kennedy, Dianne Whalen, Clayton Forsey, Keith Hutchings, Kevin O'Brien, Dr. Darin T. King, Ph.D, Susan Sullivan, Tom Hedderson, Tom Marshall, John Dinn, John Hickey, Steve Kent, Dave Denine, Felix Collins, Tony Cornect, Joan Burke, Shawn Skinner, Ed Buckingham, Bob Ridgley, Paul Oram, Trevor Taylor, Ross Wiseman and Kathy Dunderdale, for their time, energy and dedication during their period of service.

They were contacted earlier today by regional minister Peter Mackay via cellphone.

"I acknowledge and appreciate the contributions made by all individuals who take on this role. Working in partnership with the House of Assembly, Canada's New New Government continues to make innovative and strategic investments that are helping Newfoundland-Labrador flourish. I would like to welcome these newest members to the House of Assembly and have every confidence they will make an invaluable contribution to the work of the House and to the Province overall."

The Prime Minister meanwhile rejected criticism from some, including former federal cabinet minister and Lieutenant-Governor Jim McGrath, that his actions are in any way improper or undemocratic.

"Mr. McGrath is a citizen of Newfoundland-Labrador," Mr. Harper said. "He has an opinion, and he's entitled to it. From our perspective, we're the government, and we've made the decision as to what we're going to do here. Mr. McGrath had his day in government, and he made his decisions in that time - that was a long time ago. Now we are the government and we are going to do what we think is in the best interests of Newfoundland-Labrador, and that's exactly what we're doing here."

The Prime Minister also brushed aside the argument that Canada's New New Government has improperly interfered in the search for a new Premier.

"I don't think anyone will ever take this present government and this present administration as one that will merely rubberstamp a position as important as Premier," Mr. Harper said.

"It has to be approved by Canada's New New Government, and it will, and if anyone thinks this whole process will be a rubberstamp at the cabinet level, they are mistaken."

"Canada's New New Government, including myself, including Regional Minister Peter Mackay, were asked by the search committee and by the House of Assembly to get involved in this process. They invited us to participate."

"We tried to keep our head down on this as much as we can, let the process go through, because, you know, any time we came out to speak on this we'd be seen to be interfering with the process, when nothing is further from the truth."

Mr. Harper also denied he has a hand-picked candidate in mind for the Premiership.

"This is not and will never be a patronage appointment," said the Prime Minister.

Furthermore, as the Prime Minister noted, Canada's New New Government subsidizes the Province to the tune of $1 billion or more annually.

"It would be irresponsible for us as Canada's New New Government to write a blank cheque."

Regional Minister Peter Mackay outlined some of the questions which will be asked of potential candidates for Premier:

1. "As Premier, how would you see the Province and Canada's New New Government working together?"

2. "What government strategies and initiatives are of particular relevance to the Province?"

3. "What mechanisms would you employ to ensure collaboration on areas of mutual interest?"

4. "Canada's New New Government has provided direction on implementing a new governance model to increase Labrador's autonomy. How would you identify issues related to implementation? What might the barriers be and how would you overcome them? What factors would facilitate success?"

As the Province's selection committee resets itself to continue its search for a new Premier, Harper said the process should not affect his government's attempts to secure more autonomy for Labrador.

"It's a separate issue and I don't think for one minute it will have any effect," the Prime Minister said.