Opposition Leader John Hogan is settling into his new role, accusing the new Tory government of breaking promises the moment they were sworn in.
Hogan met with media shortly after Premier Tony Wakeham and his cabinet took their oaths of office at Government House yesterday.
He had previously expressed doubts about the PCs’ ability to follow through on the plethora of promises made during the election campaign.
John Hogan surrounded by what will be his Opposition caucus (VOCM News)
And after seeing the new cabinet, and the titles of their departments, he says it’s already clear that the actual product is far from what was advertised.
“The Conservatives campaign on a lot of social issues such as affordability, health care, seniors, and now when we see on Day 1, when they put their cabinet together, those things seem to have disappeared,” he said. ” So I don’t think what they campaigned on … they’ve been completely upfront with Newfoundland and Labradorians when you look at what the titles of these departments are.”
Hogan added it’s concerning that the former department for women and gender equality, as well as seniors and health care no longer have standalone ministers.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (VOCM News)
The NDP share the same concerns with a shrunken PC cabinet.
Leader Jim Dinn says he’s worried about the amount of work assigned to each cabinet minister and how much attention key issues will receive.
Dinn says it’s time for Wakeham to “show his work,” with his campaign promises.
“We’ve brought up issues with regards to pay equity, card check certification and anti-scab legislation. And climate change is sort of buried in with a bunch of other responsibilities,” he told reporters in the lobby of Confederation Building.
“We do have concerns about some of these, I would say, rather important portfolios being blended in with others.”