The following statement has been issued on behalf of the Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Today, I wrote to Opposition Leader John Hogan and Third Party Leader Jim Dinn and copied the Speaker of the House of Assembly to raise concerns about the declining level of decorum in the House.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians expect their elected representatives to debate serious issues with passion, but also with respect. Unfortunately, this session has too often seen debate turn personal. Diplomacy has eroded, and rhetoric has too often focused on individuals rather than the issues facing the people we serve.

This is not a concern directed at one side of the House alone. Members on all sides have a responsibility to do better. This is certainly not the standard Newfoundlanders and Labradorians expect from their elected representatives.

The people of this province sent us here to work on their behalf to improve health care, lower taxes, strengthen communities, grow the economy, and debate the major issues before our province. They did not send us here to tear one another down personally.

I believe the best course of action is for all House Leaders to meet with the Speaker to discuss these concerns and agree on a path forward. I have asked that their House Leaders be made available for such a meeting, and our House Leader will do the same.

We can disagree strongly. We can hold each other accountable. But we must do it in a way that respects the institution, respects the people serving in it, and respects the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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