labradore

"We can't allow things that are inaccurate to stand." — The Word of Our Dan, February 19, 2008.

Thursday, March 03, 2011

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.

- 30 -

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.

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