‘Polling period is 365 days a year’

Premier Wade MacLauchlan is defending the accidental release of internal emails between his chief of staff and a cabinet minister directing cabinet to find “good news announcements during polling.”

MacLauchlan says it is government’s job to inform Islanders about programs and services that will benefit the province.

“This is about openness and transparency,” he said during question period Wednesday.

“It’s letting Islanders know how they can access programs, and I’m glad this was brought up because it gives us another opportunity for Islanders to know about the great work of this government.”

On Tuesday, Family and Human Services Minister Tina Mundy mistakenly tabled a printed email exchange showing the premier’s chief of staff, Robert Vessey, asked cabinet ministers for “good news announcement suggestions” to release during the upcoming polling period.

“Last week in cabinet, premier asked that each department put together good news announcements during polling period,” Vessey wrote in the email.

“Can you bring your announcement suggestions to cabinet tomorrow.”

Opposition MLA James Aylward took MacLauchlan to task Wednesday for attempting to influence the polling results.

He noted the emails Mundy tabled also show her staff listed upcoming announcements aimed at vulnerable Islanders as some suggested “good news announcements” to release for polling time.

“We have children and youth at risk, we have Islanders struggling with mental health and addictions, we have people struggling to keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table,” Aylward said.

“Where are your priorities at when you’re trying to milk some publicity out of programs that vulnerable Islanders need and rely on?”

MacLauchlan remained unapologetic, saying he will use any opportunity to publicize programs to help Islanders, adding, “polling period is 365 days a year.”

“That’s the job of government, to communicate with Islanders so that they can take part in democracy and so that they can benefit from the great work of this government.”

But Aylward chastised government for using government program announcements for partisan purposes.

“All you want to do is try to up your numbers during the polls with good news announcements,” he said.

“Clearly the premier is feeling the heat of discontent with his tired Liberal government, he’s lost sight what’s really important. People, not his political fortunes.”