Then and now

2000: Libril govamint moves govamint jobs into Libril districts.

"Bad, bad, bad", opposition Tories say:

NEWS RELEASE

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Byrne comments on decision to relocate selected government divisions

ST. JOHN'S, July 27, 2000 — Opposition Leader Ed Byrne says the government's decision today to relocate selected government divisions comprising 275 positions to other areas of the province will be popular, particularly outside St. John's.

Byrne said the move speaks volumes about the government's handling of the economy in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. "The government is obviously taking this step to obscure the fact that it has failed abysmally to stimulate the economy of rural Newfoundland, and Newfoundlanders should know this move does nothing to improve the overall economy of the province. It simply moves some economic value from one location to another, but there is no net gain to the economy as a whole."

"It is like shifting around chairs on the deck," said Byrne.

Byrne said it is imperative the government deal fairly with employees affected by its decision. "Government must go out of its way to deal fairly with employees who are being transferred, to ensure there is no hardship or cost inflicted on them as a consequence of the move," said Byrne. "Government should act to ensure employees required and willing to move don't incur losses in selling and acquiring properties or suffer other losses or hardships for reasons associated with the relocation."

"The government should pay particular attention to employees whose families cannot move because of a spouse's job or similar reasons. Such employees should be given equivalent positions with equivalent seniority and opportunity for advancement at their current location," he said. "Wherever possible, positions should be filled by attrition so new employees are brought into the relocated positions."

2008: Tory govamint moves govamint jobs into Tory districts.

"Good, good, good!", governing Tories say:

MR. VERGE: In the area of government services, Mr. Chairman, on Thursday, January 17, 2008, the Minister of Transportation visited my district and officially opened the provincial headquarters for marine services. The location of this department in a rural district speaks of another significant investment that the Williams’ government has made in rural Newfoundland.

Decentralization of government decision-making bodies out in the field is another example of the faith and the confidence this government has placed in the future growth and the long-term economic stability of rural Newfoundland. These government positions have added to our economic growth and to the sustainability of our region.

In both cases, emphasis added.