Chrétien lessons

Another blow for the Accountability Government. From the Bow-Wow Parliament on Monday:

MR. PARSONS: A major issue for Labrador is the state of the Trans-Labrador Highway. My question is for the Minister of Transportation and Works.

It was reported in The Labradorian on May 29, 2007, that the Town Council in Happy Valley-Goose Bay was told that a government report on various grades of chip seal on the Trans-Labrador Highway would be released to them on April 1 – that is April 1, 2006 - three transportation ministers ago.

My question for the minister is: Why has this report not been published or placed on the government Web site, and when might we expect this to be tabled in this House?

MS WHALEN: Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.

We are indeed working with Labrador, in investments we have made in Labrador. We are doing, this year alone, a $45 million cost-shared investment in Labrador, surfacing and widening of our Phase 1 during the construction season. We are indeed using chip seal in a part of that road in Labrador, the Trans-Labrador Highway.

MR. PARSONS: Again, for clarification, can the minister confirm that the report will be released, and when?

MS WHALEN: Mr. Speaker, all reports that we do are released in due time. That report will be released when it is due to be released.

A release is a release, and when you have a good release it's because it's due to be released.

For the record, though, in case anyone is fuzzy on the math, there are many more than 30 days in two years.