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| Last updated at 8:44 AM on 16/10/08 |
Tories torpedo cash for Liberals 
PCs, NDP get full benefits recommended by report
ROB ANTLE
The Telegram
The Progressive Conservative members of the House of Assembly management commission have voted to block additional cash aimed at helping the Liberal Opposition hire researchers and caucus support staff — at least for now.
The PCs did vote to give themselves more money, along with the NDP.
Earlier this year, the legislature hired an independent consultant to review caucus resources for the province’s three parties.
The 2007 election saw the ruling Conservatives win 44 seats in the legislature, with the Liberals reduced to three and the NDP at one.
Fewer opposition seats meant fewer resources to hire staff. The Liberals and NDP complained that the situation was unfair.
The consultant — St. John’s-based Metrics EFG Inc. — found that Saskatchewan politicians receive double the annual funding for core and research staff compared to this province.
Nova Scotia’s caucus funding level is triple the $1 million currently allotted in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We concluded from our research that the funding for all three caucuses is not adequate to meet their research, policy and administrative needs,” the consultant wrote.
Those needs were largest in the official Opposition Liberal caucus, the consultant noted, while recommending additional research and office cash for all three parties — $126,000 more for the government PC caucus, $124,000 extra for the NDP, and $162,000 more for the Liberals.
The six members of the management commission voted unanimously to grant the Tories and NDP the full recommended benefits.
But the three Conservative commission members — Trevor Taylor, Joan Burke and Elizabeth Marshall — voted to block almost all of the cash targeted to aid the Opposition Liberals.
That vote ended in a 3-3 tie. House Speaker Roger Fitzgerald, a Conservative, declined to cast a deciding ballot, saying he would withhold his judgment on the “contentious issue” for now.
“I’m not prepared with the knowledge that I have today, and the figures that I have in front of me, to cast a deciding vote,” Fitzgerald said in the House.
Instead of the recommended $162,000, the Liberals instead received an extra $12,000 in funding.
Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones said the Opposition will be “stifled” because of a lack of resources.
NDP Leader Lorraine Michael said she was “disturbed” by the decision.
“I’m really shocked by what’s happened … I have not heard a logical explanation from the members who have voted against it, all of whom are members of the government,” Michael told the House.
But Conservative cabinet minister Trevor Taylor dismissed those concerns.
“It’s not fair for the opposition parties to characterize this in the manner they just did,” he said in the legislature.
“We just approved, as a result of going through the 17 recommendations that were there, we just approved an additional $150,000 today in funding for the opposition to carry out their duties.”
Almost all of that cash went to the NDP.
Jones was not mollified, saying in a press release that the management commission’s decision is proof that “we are much closer to a dictatorship than the people of the province may think.”
Added the Liberal leader: “This is politics at its worst and simply not the actions that should be tolerated in a democracy, especially from a government that holds 44 out of 48 seats in the House of Assembly.”
Burke issued a news release later in the day, stating that the commission was doing what it’s meant to do — scrutinize decisions regarding taxpayers’ money going to MHAs.
“The commission is not just a rubber stamp to hand out money to the opposition parties,” she said in the release.
rantle@thetelegram.com
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16/10/08
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Lloyd Barrett from Bay Roberts, Nl writes: The more stories I read about the actions of Tory politicans, the more I am convinced that we must be living in 1958! Joey Williams is running amuck. Isn't it time for the masses to say Now buddy, stop your shenangians!
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 8:58 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Graham from NL writes: Thats the Danny Williams way of doing things. Get rid of anyone and anything that may force him to do something and deal with real issues. Williams said over and over again his ABC campaign wasnt about Fabian Manning. If that was the case its funny that in less than 24 hours after Mr Manning was defeated Danny was all over the media mending fences with our Prime Minister. Now all is well with Ottawa. Its been said on here and eslewhere many times that POWER CORRUPTS and ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY. Danny Williams is the poster child for that. His my way or the hi way lives on. Now that he has ruined the lives of Mr Manning and his family politically at least, who will he set in his sights next? Vengefull arrogant and self centred thats our Danny. No wonder hes so popular. Apparently thats what many here in this Province want in a Premier. God help us if thats the case.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 9:25 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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speedy from PE writes: How low can you go? This stinks of dictatorship to me. Now even the official opposition has to tow the line.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 9:25 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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greg davis from st. johns, nl writes: Williams holds Harper, Hearn and Manning to high moralistic standards but lowers the bar considerably for his Ministers to frolic with whats left of democracy in this poor province. Shameful
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 9:54 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Mark from ON writes: If Lorraine Michael had one shred of integrity, she would decline the NDP portion of this money until a more equitable distribution was agreed upon. This is outrageous.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 10:29 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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George from Bay Roberts, Newfoundland writes: Danny Smallwood-Williams has shown once again that he must stiffle any and all voices and ideas that may now or potentially differ from his.
What is happening is pettiness at its finest.
He is like a little crackie, that don't like to see others hovering around his dish.
yap, yap, chew the fingers off ya.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 10:29 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Jim from NL writes: This should come as no surprise. King Cracky's ABC campaign has come to an end and he needs a new smoke screen to draw attention away from his ineffective simpleton government. These are the new traitors- let us crush them . This province is becoming a pityfull joke.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 11:59 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Funky Monkey from NL writes: This is a scary misuse of power by the provincial PC party.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 12:07 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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steve from nl writes: i think this is the worst action yet by this government those three members should be kicked out of government by DAN
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 12:47 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Calvin Coish from Ottawa, Ontario writes: Well as a Newfoundlander first and foremost I am glad to see that Mr. Williams has shown that the good people of our province will not stand for this kind of treatment. For those nay Sayers here, I would like to remind them that we still live in a democracy thank God, and that the people of this province have given Mr. Williams a mandate to govern. To here some of the comments I have read here makes me shake my head. Can any of you remember what 14 years of Liberal government was like? You hate Canada when you get pushed around and beaten by Canada but when the messiah comes you wish to crucify him. I feel ashamed that I have to respond to such people.
OH and Fabian. Was a traitor ,is a traitor and should learn to represent the people of his riding. Thats why he lost his job. Get over it.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 12:47 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Rodney from Newfoundland writes: Mr Calvin, Mr Manning is no Traitor, I am from his riding and I can personaly say that Mr. Manning did alot for his people. Now for someone from Ottawa Ontario to come say that Fabian is a Traitor and has no idea what Mr. Manning has done for his riding. Oh Perhaps you have some family in the riding that Fabian was unable to help Sorry. Mr. Williams is the my way or highway kind of guy. All I know is that in the next provincial election I will be an ABC
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 1:25 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Really from NL writes: I think it's either all 3 parties receive additional funds according to the direct recommendations outlined by the consultant or no party gets any. How can the PC government decide to give funds to themselves and the NDP according the recommendations, but then decide not to give it to the Liberals? What is even the point of having the consultants if they just do as they please? This is an absolute disgrace and abuse of power by the PCs.
@Calvin Coish: What the heck are you rambling about? Your comments make absolutely no sense in contex with this story. Did you even read it?
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 1:25 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Craig from Torbay, NL writes: Mark from ON writes: If Lorraine Michael had one shred of integrity, she would decline the NDP portion of this money until a more equitable distribution was agreed upon. This is outrageous.
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I agree with you, Lorraine Michael should not have gotten any more money either. Parties should have to reach Official Party status before they are given a cent of tax payers money.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 1:33 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Funky Monkey from NL writes: To Calvin Coish, you are completely right, we live in a democracy. The central piece of democracy is that we can debate and we are allowed to disagree with decisions made by our leaders. Danny may be right sometimes, but he is not omnipotent or perfect.
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 1:59 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Calvin From from Ottawa, Ontario writes: Well “Really “ to answer your question, yes, I did read the post “^ “. Follow the arrow up. My point is shouldn’t the other parties have to reach party status before they get the money. If the table was turned, do you think that the liberals would be offering any money to Mr. Williams and the PCs? I think that there would be a far larger cry about those apples wouldn’t there.
And, to “Mr. Rodney “from (you guessed it, somewhere in Newfoundland) if my eyes do not deceive me is this not Mr. Manning sitting beside Mr. Steven Harper. The man that stole 10 billion dollars from the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. And, Rodney, if he did so much, why wasn’t he able to keep his job. The same thing happened to a lot of conservatives that didn’t keep their promises. Break your word , lose your job. Great message.
http://anythingbutconservative.ca/harperteam.htm
Everybody here is screaming ethics and scandal and money, but when it comes down too it your memories are so short. What did Mr. Williams clean up after he came to office? OH ye of little faith. Let him that can’t remember go back to the liberal years. Keep it up Mr. Williams, we love you up here. Maybe we can convince you to run for the prime’s minister’s office in Canada. Would we ever be so lucky?
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 3:44 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Wayne Bennett from Pasadena, NL writes: Hi All,
I think that every one missed the point.
Less than 24 hours after Danny got 6 Liberals elected to Parliament, he turned on them provinically.
Like what is happening to our south, we need to revolunitize the way we do politics in Canada and in NL.
All parties need to respect each other and to work for the good of the people.
Less us differ only over policies and our place on the political specturm.
It should be ' People First .... Politics Last'
Wayne Bennett
Incoming Leader
NL First Party
www.nlfirst.ca
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| Posted 16/10/2008 at 5:00 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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