Miss Communication

If you only read one unbelievably ridiculous DunderGov press release this month, let it be this one:

Province Nominates Candidate for Vice-Chair Position at Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board

The Provincial Government today confirmed that Elizabeth Matthews has been nominated for the position of vice-chair with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB).

“Contrary to claims put forward by the Official Opposition, our government’s decision to nominate Ms. Matthews’ as a potential candidate for the position of vice-chair is based solely on her qualifications,” said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Natural Resources. “This position would be part of the leadership team of the C-NLOPB, where varied backgrounds and experiences strengthen the discussion and decision-making process. Ms. Matthews is a strong, credible candidate with broad policy experience, and an extensive communications background, all of which would be considered an asset to the board.”

The appointment of this position is a provincial-federal process. Nominations are provided to the Government of Canada. Their concurrence is required before an appointment can be made.

The C-NLOPB is the regulatory agency for the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area with staff who provide expertise and support in a variety of areas including safety, environmental protection, resource management, and industrial benefits.

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Media contact:

Heather Maclean
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca

Now, for the record, what are Ms. Matthew's "broad policy experience, and an extensive communications background"?

Why, from almost the moment Danny Williams-Government became Premier, she was his Director of Communications, with some previous experience which the announcement of her appointment put in the following, vaguely euphemistic, terms:

Elizabeth Matthews has gained solid experience in government, serving for the past six years in communications roles in the Opposition Leader's Office and in four government departments: Mines and Energy; Tourism, Culture and Recreation; Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Education. Prior to serving in the public sector, Ms. Matthews completed her post-secondary studies at Memorial University, and she worked in communications and sales in the private sector. She has played a key role with the Williams team during the election and throughout the transition to government.

Heather Maclean, the good communications foot-soldier who was despatched on Thursday afternoon to polish this particular turd, first shows up as a media contact for a DanGov department in December 2004.

She is, consequently, almost as qualified as Ms. Matthews to sit as Kathy Dunderdale-Government's nominee on the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.