Furey calls on PCS to drop byelection candidate
Premier Andrew Furey is calling on the province's PC leader to drop the party's candidate in the Baie Vertegreen Bay byelection.
On the weekend, Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham found his party receiving backlash after a string of comments made by PC candidate Lin Paddock.
During a debate, Paddock said the province needs to recruit health-care professionals in areas where people love this place, such as from Germany, where they adore the outdoors, and not in India and Pakistan, where they "come here and go to Toronto."
‘POORLY WORDED’
Many viewed Paddock's comments as racist, and he has since apologized. The PCS provided The Telegram with a statement from Paddock, in which he called his comments poorly worded.
"I recognize that my comments about recruiting from specific countries were poorly worded and I am sorry if this may have offended anyone," Paddock said.
"I want to be clear that all health-care professionals, regardless of their country of origin, are welcomed, valued, and essential to our province. Having served in the Canadian Armed Forces with people from across the globe and after earning their respect, I truly value diversity," he said.
‘APOLOGY WITH RESERVATION’
Paddock also clarified the intent of his comments.
"My intention was to emphasize the need for effective recruitment strategies and retention of health-care professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our goal should be to retain these individuals, ensuring they see a long-term future in our province."
Furey called the apology hollow.
"The apology was, 'I'm sorry if you were offended.' That is an apology with reservation. That is an apology that suggests I am sorry that my beliefs offended you," Furey said.
LIBERALS QUESTION TORIES
During question period in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, the Liberals turned things around and questioned Wakeham on his support for Paddock.
Wakeham focused his questions on food prices and food availability. The Liberals focused their answers on pressing the Opposition for answers.
"I ask the premier: is it a crisis when 46,000 people in our province are going hungry?" Wakeham asked.
After referencing the province's poverty reduction strategy, Furey asked his own question.
"I want to ask the member opposite if he supports his candidate in Baie Vertegreen Bay, Lin Paddock, and his comments, which were hurtful and harmful to India, Pakistan and other noneuropean countries. Should we be welcoming only people deemed acceptable by his view?"
Wakeham didn't acknowledge the questioning. He continued to focus on food.
"I ask the premier: what is the targeted food-security rate of the poverty reduction plan?"
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills Minister Gerry Byrne responded.
"Nothing can be more important than being safe and secure. That's why all business of this House is important. But nothing is more important today or any day than standing firm and against racial epithets and racism and those that would promote division in our society," Byrne said.
Byrne then asked his own questions.
"Now, Mr. Speaker, we will ask the honourable member, we will ask him clearly: does he stand by providing a safe, nurturing environment for all who come to us and our neighbours and our friends and provide us with essential services? Does he and his party stand by those who come with us looking for our support?"
Wakeham didn't acknowledge the question.
"Once again, I'll continue on my line of questioning," Wakeham said.
APOLOGY ACCEPTED
After question period, Wakeham told reporters that he has accepted Paddock's apology.
"I accepted that apology, just like the premier has accepted the apology from his minister who had to apologize for some of his remarks," Wakeham said.
Wakeham said he is not concerned about the effect Paddock's comments might have on the byelection. He said those who know Paddock know he didn't have any ill intent.
"He's very upset that his comments were made that way and that they were interpreted that way, and it wasn't his intent," Wakeham said.
As for his lack of acknowledgment of the situation in the house, Wakeham said he came to talk about food insecurity, but the government "played politics" instead.
"I think the people that are out there, those 134,000 people that are hungry right now, they deserve those answers. But today the Liberal government decided to play politics," he said.
DROP CANDIDATE
Furey said the byelection candidate should be dropped, and that Paddock's comments could affect the recruitment and retention of doctors.
"Who is going to come to Newfoundland and Labrador when this is the message of the PC party, when this is the message that the leader of the Opposition refuses to wholeheartedly dispel and drop?" Furey said.
Wakeham said Paddock's comments won't affect the province's efforts to recruit and retain doctors, but Furey said the comments are hurtful and harmful.
"There is no room for these beliefs in Newfoundland and Labrador, full stop, and the leader of the Opposition needs to do what's right, needs to do what's definitive, and send the right signal to the rest of the people of this province," he said.
Wakeham said the PC party is committed to inclusivity.
"We will always recruit all over the world and welcome people that want to come here and work no matter what profession they want to work in. That's the message that I want to get out there today," he said.