Premier and Opposition Leaders Meet, Agree to Course of Action to Respond to COVID-19

  • Executive Council

March 16, 2020

This morning the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Opposition Leaders Ches Crosbie and Alison Coffin, select ministers and opposition MHAs, and caucus officials met with Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Medical Officer of Health, to discuss the emerging COVID-19 pandemic facing Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and the world. At this meeting, all parties agreed to establish a Joint Public Health Response Committee.

The purpose of the Joint Public Health Response Committee is to discuss collective priorities and responses and seek consensus on how to move forward for the health and safety of all residents of the province.

All in attendance were first given the latest updates by Dr. Fitzgerald with a substantive question and answer session.

Discussion included:

  • Latest developments;
  • Considerations for schools, post-secondary institutions, childcare centres, and other public institutions;
  • Federal initiatives; and
  • Possible compensations and supports for those affected by closures, loss of work, and self-isolation.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Official Opposition, and the Third Party agreed to work together on this important public health issue. The framework of this agreement includes regular daily meetings and updates and joint public communications as required.

As a direct result of this meeting, all parties agreed to a course of action that will be announced publicly at a news conference today at 2:00 p.m.

Following today’s news conference, Premier Ball and Opposition Leaders will meet again tomorrow, (Tuesday, March 17), at 10:00 a.m.

Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca

Bradley Russell
PC Caucus
709-729-3668
bradleyrussell@gov.nl.ca

Zaren Healey White
NDP Caucus
709-729-2137, 693-9172
zarenhealeywhite@gov.nl.ca

 

2020 03 16 2:05 pm