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seek ye first the kingdom of God, or failing that the mute button. it is 3 February 2021 at Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly, and I'm here in a media holding cell to watch the leader's debate for this provincial election
Q: is it time for NL to raise the minimum wage to $15/hr?
furey: we have an independent review panel that reviews min wage. it is tied to CPI & goes up every year. we're competitive with other provinces.
coffin: yes. no one working 40 hrs/week deserves to live in poverty
furey: we have an independent review panel that reviews min wage. it is tied to CPI & goes up every year. we're competitive with other provinces.
coffin: yes. no one working 40 hrs/week deserves to live in poverty
furey: there are many tools available to help those in poverty beyond the wage. we should look at all the tools
coffin: if we simply increase wages with cost of living ppl will remain in poverty
furey: minimum wage is done by independent panel. they make non political decisions
coffin: if we simply increase wages with cost of living ppl will remain in poverty
furey: minimum wage is done by independent panel. they make non political decisions
coffin: we do not want to be known as the place you can come and get cheap labour. ppl deserve to be paid for the work they do
Q: how can the province balance the books if layoffs cant be part of the equation?
coffin: if we pay higher wages people will be less reliant on social assistance, lower healthcare costs, etc. increases our tax revenues and decreases dependence on social safety net
coffin: if we pay higher wages people will be less reliant on social assistance, lower healthcare costs, etc. increases our tax revenues and decreases dependence on social safety net
furey: we are in a global crisis. i have seen no economist recommend austerity. now is not the time to cut jobs. we have structural issues. no single budget will fix this. nurses etc did not cause this. we need to immediately deal with muskrat falls
coffin: nurses are burning out
furey: yes i know these stories. we need to help them. first we need to deal with muskrat falls
furey: yes i know these stories. we need to help them. first we need to deal with muskrat falls
coffin: we need to invest in public services to make sure nurses dont burn out
furey: the fiscal situation is not theirs to bear alone. its not theirs to bear at all. we're not bankrupt. we'ee not bankrupt of ideas
furey: the fiscal situation is not theirs to bear alone. its not theirs to bear at all. we're not bankrupt. we'ee not bankrupt of ideas
Q: how much does spending need to go down?
furey: we need to deal with muskrat falls. its an anchor around our souls. the tories caused this. NLers are proud and will fight for the economic future. we will renegotiate muskrat falls
furey: we need to deal with muskrat falls. its an anchor around our souls. the tories caused this. NLers are proud and will fight for the economic future. we will renegotiate muskrat falls
crosbie: the muskrat falls deferment payment is just the liberals kicking the can down the road. we need to go line by line through expenditures. we also lack economic growth. the premier wants to cut. you have to grow your way out of it
furey: i have not mentioned cuts. the only person who said anything about cuts was you in the last election. the ppl of this province arent a business you can write off. youve taken us to the fiscal cliff and want to take us over
crosbie: the difference between the premier and me is that i want to go through consultation with frontline workers and the public re the spending problem.
furey: crosbie is campaigning to be the last premier of NL. he'll declare us bankrupt as soon as he's in the premiers chair
furey: crosbie is campaigning to be the last premier of NL. he'll declare us bankrupt as soon as he's in the premiers chair
Q: muskrat falls was the province's idea. how will the federal government fix it?
crosbie: both CPC and Lib govts in ottawa supported muskrat falls. they all thought itd be a good project. they are our partners in MF. they must take on some burdens
crosbie: both CPC and Lib govts in ottawa supported muskrat falls. they all thought itd be a good project. they are our partners in MF. they must take on some burdens
furey: i didnt create MF but i am committed to fixing MF. our forebears chose canada because they believe in the federation. crosbie wants to fight ottawa, i want to work with them. we have started the restructuring.
crosbie: you just deferred an amount was that was due. full power comes at the end of the year. mr furey-
furey: we dont have to pay back half the 840 million. crosbie wants to sue the feds. you are paying chicken with peoples paycheques
furey: we dont have to pay back half the 840 million. crosbie wants to sue the feds. you are paying chicken with peoples paycheques
crosbie: well its good we only have to pay back half of it. sometimes you have to sue people to take care of business
furey: now is not the time to fight it is to work together to get a deal to prevent electricity rates from doubling
furey: now is not the time to fight it is to work together to get a deal to prevent electricity rates from doubling
Q: how much money should prop up oil and gas?
coffin: ppl in oil and gas do not need govt making bad decisions and giving them false hope. they need respect and help transitioning to other opportunities
crosbie: enormous wealth to unlock offshore if we keep corps interested
coffin: ppl in oil and gas do not need govt making bad decisions and giving them false hope. they need respect and help transitioning to other opportunities
crosbie: enormous wealth to unlock offshore if we keep corps interested
coffin: the ppl of NL need support, not oil and gas corps. money from federal govt should help workers, not companies who are suing us
crosbie: workers deserve support. the whole idea of supporting the offshore is to support tax revenues and jobs. we've a golden age coming in NL
crosbie: workers deserve support. the whole idea of supporting the offshore is to support tax revenues and jobs. we've a golden age coming in NL
coffin: it is smarter to invest in strong public services and protect industry and profitable businesses can make offshore investment decisions
crosbie: furey gave millions to husky and just let them cut jobs
crosbie: furey gave millions to husky and just let them cut jobs
Q: should we cut services to rural communities that don't pay municipal taxes
crosbie: we want to build on our tourist economy by preserving our way of life. we should collaborate
coffin: rural communities need access to services. cutting services is tacit resettlement
crosbie: we want to build on our tourist economy by preserving our way of life. we should collaborate
coffin: rural communities need access to services. cutting services is tacit resettlement
crosbie: if im living in rural NL i am concerned that the premier has said everythings on the table. also the greene report is secret. lets cut nalcor bonuses
coffin: rural communities need support. labradorians need better access to the MTAP program
coffin: rural communities need support. labradorians need better access to the MTAP program
crosbie: we're also overpaying for the new mental hospital. do we need all the empty office buildings? people work from home
coffin: the liberals closed the labrador affairs office after jordan brown won in lab west.
coffin: the liberals closed the labrador affairs office after jordan brown won in lab west.
Q: are you prepared to argue for or make major investments in fisheries science?
coffin: yes the better knowledge and science we have, the better we can manage the fishery. if we do not manage it properly we will see another collapse. the fishery employs more ppl than oil & gas
coffin: yes the better knowledge and science we have, the better we can manage the fishery. if we do not manage it properly we will see another collapse. the fishery employs more ppl than oil & gas
furey: fishery is vital to NL. it is a renewable resource with tremendous value. incredibly important. its why we're here. its renewable. i have talked to fishery people. the answer is not duplicating bureaucracy. we need to make sure the science is sound
coffin: fisheries science investment goes directly into our various institutions like the Marine Institute
furey: we have a world class product and world class workers. science is important. i have heard from fishery workers about barriers to entry in industry
furey: we have a world class product and world class workers. science is important. i have heard from fishery workers about barriers to entry in industry
coffin: we need to invest in caplin science, and aquaculture, and other sciences
furey: we agree that science is good. we need to hold ottawa's feet to the fire on the fishery.
furey: we agree that science is good. we need to hold ottawa's feet to the fire on the fishery.
Q: voters hate this election. will you put the interests of people and democracy ahead of your party's interest?
furey: i said i wouldnt call a fall election and i didnt
coffin: we're going to keep helping people, like raising minimum wage
furey: i said i wouldnt call a fall election and i didnt
coffin: we're going to keep helping people, like raising minimum wage
furey: the only thing certain in this pandemic is uncertainty. we need a solid mandate to negotiate the future of the province. we've been releasing policies every day
coffin: why not release a full platform? the ppl of NL deserve to know what they are voting for
coffin: why not release a full platform? the ppl of NL deserve to know what they are voting for
furey: you're being loose with the truth. our platform will be out tomorrow and fully costed. yours wasnt.
coffin: all ive seen is decades of liberal and tory mismanagement
coffin: all ive seen is decades of liberal and tory mismanagement
Q: what will you do to bring in more doctors?
crosbie:, i feel like a pingpong ball. anyways we need to work with the NLMA. astounding how many physicians are dissatisfied with a government led by a doctor. 90k residents without a family doctor
crosbie:, i feel like a pingpong ball. anyways we need to work with the NLMA. astounding how many physicians are dissatisfied with a government led by a doctor. 90k residents without a family doctor
furey: im the only one here with front line health care experience. we can be pioneers with e-health. new med school grads are being taught to work as a team but often work alone. we need tk change that
crosbie: relations with the NLMA have never been worse despite doctors running government
furey: actually relations w/ the NLMA are very good
crosbie: actually people are constantly telling me their health care services are bad
furey: we need to change how physicians practice
furey: actually relations w/ the NLMA are very good
crosbie: actually people are constantly telling me their health care services are bad
furey: we need to change how physicians practice
Qs: what is your plan to help the tourism industry? and also improve the economy
furey: tourism is very important to the people of my ~beautiful~ district. we need to position our tourism product so its ready when flights return. feds need to help flight industry
furey: tourism is very important to the people of my ~beautiful~ district. we need to position our tourism product so its ready when flights return. feds need to help flight industry
crosbie: yeah, tourism needs support. just like oil and gas. it needs to go into growth mode. the airport in gander is no longer serviced by air canada. where is ottawa? marine atlantic is hiking fares. where was premier when that happened? no peep from him or his "changemakers"
furey: i am constantly talking to ottawa. we love our tourism product and we need to support that product for when things return to normal.
crosbie: we keep hearing you are calling the prime minister. where are the results? we need more oil exploration
crosbie: we keep hearing you are calling the prime minister. where are the results? we need more oil exploration
furey: i got results. we got 320 million for oil and gas. but we're talking about tourism. both are equally important to our economy and we love them. we will support the tourism product
Q: how will you build a province that removes racism, which some people see as systemic?
crosbie: well, we shouldnt try to erase history via statues. we need a policy of 0 tolerance for racism. whether involving anyone, from indigenous peoples to new canadians. bullying is bad
crosbie: well, we shouldnt try to erase history via statues. we need a policy of 0 tolerance for racism. whether involving anyone, from indigenous peoples to new canadians. bullying is bad
coffin: we need tangible actions. we need to do the inquiry into children in care. we need to ensure mental health and addictions services are culturally sensitive. indigenous peoples need to be partners with us in these efforts
crosbie: over 3 years ago pm trudeau went to labrador to issue an apology to residential school survivors. the lib provincial government promised to apologize also and they never did
coffin: we have many indigenous candidates and they will guide our policies
coffin: we have many indigenous candidates and they will guide our policies
crosbie: youve got to make the effort. when i was in labrador i spent overnight in nain. i was told its the first time any party leader has done that in memory.
coffin: we also need to implement the recommendations from the MMIWG inquiry
coffin: we also need to implement the recommendations from the MMIWG inquiry
Q: would you create a standalone department of mental health?
coffin: people are suffering. there is a lot of uncertainty because people dont know whats coming after the election. we need addictions support also. we need solid support that is easy to access. wait lists are long
coffin: people are suffering. there is a lot of uncertainty because people dont know whats coming after the election. we need addictions support also. we need solid support that is easy to access. wait lists are long
crosbie: we need to situate mental health in the context of jobs and growth. when they feel they can get a decent job and earn a decent living then mental health is more controllable. economic insecurity causes a wild array of social evil and thats rooted in mental health.
coffin: the lack of jobs and the lack of growth does hurt mental health. but just saying 'we need more jobs' doesnt do anything. it is wrong to put people on a waiting list while they are struggling
crosbie: we have to cut the tax on jobs that keeps businesses from hiring ppl
crosbie: we have to cut the tax on jobs that keeps businesses from hiring ppl
coffin: mental health is a priority and the jobs stuff is not enough for people who need mental health resources. we need a hospital that didnt come from a dickens novel
closing statements!
furey: we need to keep moving forward. NL is one of the safest places in the world. we said we'd bring in $25/day childcare and we did. we got 320 million from fed govt. look at what we did in 5 months. imagine if you give us 4 years
furey: we need to keep moving forward. NL is one of the safest places in the world. we said we'd bring in $25/day childcare and we did. we got 320 million from fed govt. look at what we did in 5 months. imagine if you give us 4 years
coffin: ppl are struggling to afford a good life here. if we want a different future we need to make different choices..... like raising the minimum.wage to $15/hour. every NDP elected will fight to make life more affordable.
crosbie: you have a clear choice. cuts or growth. i see vast untapped potential. i see business leaders eager to create jobs. i see a thriving future for all of us from the tip of rhe torngats to downtown st johns. together we will bring back jobs.please do what my daughter asked
ok thats a wrap. see you in the scrum
