See Tony Wakeham's first question period as new leader of the N.L. Progressive Conservatives
As question period opened in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly on Monday, Tony Wakeham got a standing ovation from his caucus when he rose for the first time as the new leader of the provincial Progressive Conservatives.
His first question was directed at Premier Andrew Furey, referencing a news conference held earlier Monday by the government to announce a new housing plan.
"Speaker, for the eighth time since taking office, the Liberal government has made a promise to fix the housing crisis in our province. Eight years, eight promises, no action. I ask the premier, can you tell the people of Newfoundland and Labrador why it's taken so long?"
Furey said the government takes the housing crisis seriously, pointing to $140 million to build new housing in the 2023 budget.
"I know that has to translate to units — we had 750 units started between 2021 and beyond, and announced a new 850 units, Mr. Speaker, so we will continue to be responsive to meet the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," he said, referring to a new rental housing construction program launched in June.
Wakeham questions timing of announcement
After question period, Wakeham criticized the timing of the housing plan as well as a request for quotations announced Monday for the repair and renovation of provincially-owned vacant housing units.
"Are we doing this now because of protests?" he said. "In the budget they announced new housing initiatives for sure, and the minister's talked about that. But why didn't you announce in the spring of the year that you were going to go out to tender to repair all those units, those 140 units that were in a state of disrepair?"
It's good to see some new initiatives, Wakeham said, but if tenders had gone out in the spring people would be moving into them already.
"Instead, all we got today was an announcement that they're finally going to go out and go for quotations. How long will that process take? What does that do to the people who are homeless today, the people who are being kicked out of their apartments?"
Click on the video above to watch Wakeham's exchanges with Furey on Monday in the House of Assembly.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
Tony Wakeham
Stephenville – Port au Port
Progressive Conservative
Leader of the Official Opposition
Email: TonyWakeham@gov.nl.ca
Constituency Office:
143 Main Street
Stephenville A2N 1J5
Phone: (709) 643-0813
Fax: (709) 643-0814
Fwd: YO Mr Brown I bet Gerry Byrne knows why would Perry Trimper's assistant would try to deny the obvious to me today but Nicholas Myerson would have no clue yet no doubt Stuart Wuttke and his Chief do EH???
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Thu, Oct 19, 2023 at 10:24 AM |
| To: FFAMinister@gov.nl.ca, vernaanderson@gov.nl.ca | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com> | |
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Loveless, Elvis" <ElvisLoveless@gov.nl.ca> Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:18:27 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: YO Mr Brown I bet Gerry Byrne knows why would Perry Trimper's assistant would try to deny the obvious to me today but Nicholas Myerson would have no clue yet no doubt Stuart Wuttke and his Chief do EH??? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Good Day; Thank you for reaching out to me as MHA for the District of Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune or as Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. If your email is district related, please forward to my Constituency Assistant, Verna Anderson, to vernaanderson@gov.nl.ca or call 709 - 885 - 3067. Any departmental correspondence, please forward to FFAMinister@gov.nl.ca or call 709 - 729 - 3705. My staff will coordinate all requests and follow up with you on my behalf to ensure your concerns are addressed in a timely manner. Regards, Elvis Loveless, MHA 43 - 45 Canada Drive P.O. Box 38 Harbour Breton, NL A0H 1P0 Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture 30 Strawberry Marsh Road Petten Building St. John's, NL A1B 4J6 “This email and any attached files are intended for the sole use of the primary and copied addressee(s) and may contain privileged and/or confidential information. Any distribution, use or copying by any means of this information is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please delete it immediately and notify the sender.” ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 10:18:21 -0300 Subject: Fwd: YO Mr Brown I bet Gerry Byrne knows why would Perry Trimper's assistant would try to deny the obvious to me today but Nicholas Myerson would have no clue yet no doubt Stuart Wuttke and his Chief do EH??? To: AndrewFurey@gov.nl.ca, ejoyce@gov.nl.ca, ElvisLoveless@gov.nl.ca, paullane@gov.nl.ca, JamesDinn@gov.nl.ca, DavidBrazil@gov.nl.ca, gerrybyrne@gov.nl.ca Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "David.Lametti" <David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, LelaEvans@gov.nl.ca, JeffDwyer@gov.nl.ca ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:39:07 +0000 Subject: Automatic Reply To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Thank you for writing to the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed. We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language. ------------------- Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable Arif Virani, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada. En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin. Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant. ---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:39:03 -0300 Subject: Fwd: YO Mr Brown I bet Gerry Byrne knows why would Perry Trimper's assistant would try to deny the obvious to me today but Nicholas Myerson would have no clue yet no doubt Stuart Wuttke and his Chief do EH??? To: JordanBrown@gov.nl.ca, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, "Bill.Blair" <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, legcounsel@gov.nl.ca, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, TonyWakeham@gov.nl.ca ---------- Original message ---------- From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2020 21:11:21 +0000 Subject: Automatic Reply To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Thank you for writing to the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed. We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language. ------------------- Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable David Lametti, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada. En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin. Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant. ---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2020 17:11:17 -0400 Subject: YO Mr Brown I bet Gerry Byrne knows why would Perry Trimper's assistant would try to deny the obvious to me today but Nicholas Myerson would have no clue yet no doubt Stuart Wuttke and his Chief do EH??? To: JordanBrown@gov.nl.ca, ejoyce@gov.nl.ca, ElvisLoveless@gov.nl.ca, paullane@gov.nl.ca, JamesDinn@gov.nl.ca, AlisonCoffin@gov.nl.ca, gerrybyrne@gov.nl.ca, swuttke@afn.ca, npm@origin-international.us Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, perrytrimper@gov.nl.ca, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki" <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "barbara.massey" <barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, legcounsel@gov.nl.ca, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Stuart Wuttke Assembly of First Nations 1600-55 Metcalfe StOttawa, OntarioK1P 6L5 Phone 613 241 6789 Ext. 228 https://www.nationalnewswatch. To address Labrador homelessness, N.L. politician needs to go: Innu By Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — Oct 27 2020 ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A central Labrador town has a pressing homelessness problem and it won’t be solved until the district's legislature member is replaced by someone who understands Indigenous issues, Labrador’s Innu Nation says. Innu leaders are demanding Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey remove Lake Melville member Perry Trimper from the Liberal caucus after he made comments suggesting homeless people in Happy Valley-Goose Bay choose their lifestyles. They also want Trimper to resign his seat. As of Tuesday morning, Trimper said he would not run again but he plans to remain in office until the next provincial election. In a statement Tuesday evening, Furey said he’d met with Innu Nation Grand Chief Etienne Rich and discussed “moving forward with cultural sensitivity training throughout government.” Deputy Grand Chief Mary Ann Nui said Trimper’s comment shows he doesn’t understand the issues facing Innu in Labrador, who she says are disproportionately represented among the homeless and transient population in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. “I would love to see somebody who can be in that seat who can work with us and understand the social problems we face in our own communities and why (people from) our communities end up in the streets in Goose Bay,” Nui said in an interview Tuesday. Trimper's controversial comment, made during a CBC interview, was in reference to a video shared on social media showing a handcuffed and homeless Inuk man being thrown to the ground by a Happy Valley-Goose Bay enforcement officer. The video has shone a floodlight on the town’s homelessness problem. Michelle Kinney says the attention is sorely needed, especially now because the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue. Kinney is the deputy minister of health and social development with the Nunatsiavut Government, Labrador’s Inuit government. She also runs the Happy Valley-Goose Bay homeless shelter. “We’re definitely not meeting all of the needs,” Kinney said in a recent interview. In a town of about 8,000 people, the eight-bed shelter is regularly bursting at the seams, she said. A clause in the shelter’s operation agreement allows them to exceed capacity in emergency situations, and they exceed it most nights. Sometimes as many as 17 people sleep there, she said. The shelter also operates 10 communal units and seven apartments, all consistently full. There are 22 names on the wait-list, she said. To maintain social distancing during the pandemic, the provincial government has paid for overflow shelter clients to sleep at a nearby hotel. There are currently seven people staying there, Kinney said. The homelessness problem in Happy Valley-Goose Bay stems from its status as a regional hub without adequate housing. People from other Labrador towns go there for health or government services and wind up staying, sometimes without a place to live. This creates a transient population who sometimes camp out in the woods behind the town, she said. In the town itself, the rental market is mostly aimed at people making good salaries at the nearby Muskrat Falls construction site, and rents are unaffordable on lower incomes, Kinney said. Like Nui, she says Indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Nui said people with addictions issues from Labrador’s Innu communities often wind up in Happy Valley-Goose Bay because it’s easier to obtain drugs and alcohol there. Nui said she’d love to see more housing and support options for the town’s homeless and transient population, as well as more collaboration between government departments and Indigenous groups. “I would totally support a bigger shelter,” Nui said. “It would help a lot with our community members.” But she fears the right help won’t come unless the people in power understand how systemic racism affects Indigenous people. Pointing to an audio recording released last year in which Trimper was heard saying the Innu are prone to playing "the race card," Nui said Trimper's latest gaffe shows he hasn't learned anything. "We need somebody in that seat that can work with Innu," she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2020. Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press | |
Eddie Joyce
Humber - Bay of Islands
Independent/Non-Affiliated
Email: EJoyce@gov.nl.ca
Constituency Office:
4th Floor, Sir Richard Squires Building
P.O. Box 2006
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 6J8
Phone: (709) 634-7883
Fax: (709) 634-7885
Profile
Born and raised in Curling, Eddie was first elected to represent the District of Bay of Islands in 1989, and then in 1999, 2003, 2011 and 2015, 2019, and 2021 for the new District of Humber - Bay of Islands. He has served in various Opposition critic roles and interim Official Opposition Leader and Liberal Party Leader in 2013. In 2015, he was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, Service NL and Workplace NL. He has held various executive roles with the Spinal Cord Injury Association, volunteers with the local SPCA and is involved in sports as a coach and player.
Paul Lane
Mount Pearl - Southlands
Independent/Non-Affiliated
Email: paullane@gov.nl.ca
Constituency Office:
5th Floor, East Block
Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Fax: (709) 729-2281
We just talked Mr Lane
David Amos<motomaniac333@gmail.com> | Wed, Jan 11, 2017 at 1:12 PM |
| To: paullane@gov.nl.ca, randyedmunds <randyedmunds@gov.nl.ca>, padavis@gov.nl.ca, andrewparsons@gov.nl.ca | |
| Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, gopublic <gopublic@cbc.ca>, newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.ca>, news <news@kingscorecord.com>, news-tips <news-tips@nytimes.com>, DJT <DJT@trumporg.com>, mcohen <mcohen@trumporg.com>, dmcgahn <dmcgahn@jonesday.com> | |
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:42:54 -0400 Subject: RE The Inquiry into the Demise of Don Dunphy Here is one of the emails that I promised to send you all To: admin@ciddd.ca, schaytor@coxandpalmer.com, kobrien@obaw.ca, mark.freeman@justice.gc.ca, Lori.Rasmussen@justice.gc.ca, jkennedy@wrmmlaw.com, ebreen@spdefence.ca, rsimmonds@sbkdefence.com, nickavis@bfma-law.com, twilliams@odeaearle.ca, jdrover@wrmmlaw.com, cflaherty@rogersbristowmoyse. kmahoney@rogersbristowmoyse.ca Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> andrewparsons@gov.nl.ca, Mark.Quinn@cbc.ca, steve.murphy@ctv.ca, SMay@coxandpalmer.com, "bob.paulson" <bob.paulson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "hon.ralph.goodale" <hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>, mcu < mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "david.hansen" <david.hansen@justice.gc.ca> It is the only email I ever sent to the lawyer Andrew Parsons because as the Attorney General he has my file anyway | |
RE The Inquiry into the Demise of Don Dunphy Here is one of the emails that I promised to send you all
David Amos<motomaniac333@gmail.com> | Wed, Jan 11, 2017 at 8:42 AM |
| To: admin@ciddd.ca, schaytor@coxandpalmer.com, kobrien@obaw.ca, mark.freeman@justice.gc.ca, Lori.Rasmussen@justice.gc.ca, jkennedy@wrmmlaw.com, ebreen@spdefence.ca, rsimmonds@sbkdefence.com, nickavis@bfma-law.com, twilliams@odeaearle.ca, jdrover@wrmmlaw.com, cflaherty@rogersbristowmoyse.ca, will@buddenlaw.com, kmahoney@rogersbristowmoyse.ca | |
| Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, andrewparsons@gov.nl.ca, Mark.Quinn@cbc.ca, steve.murphy@ctv.ca, SMay@coxandpalmer.com, "bob.paulson" <bob.paulson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "hon.ralph.goodale" <hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "david.hansen" <david.hansen@justice.gc.ca> | |
It is the only email I ever sent to the lawyer Andrew Parsons because as the Attorney General he has my file anyway ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 May 2016 17:30:55 -0400 Subject: Fwd: After listening to your opinions CanadaLand I called and tried to speak to both of you about what I know about the Rock and had luck getting through to either of you To: rocksolidpolitics@gmail.com, Mark.Quinn@cbc.ca, dwightball@gov.nl.ca, cbennett@gov.nl.ca, lorrainemichael@gov.nl.ca, tosborne@gov.nl.ca, andrewparsons@gov.nl.ca, kevinparsons@gov.nl.ca, pamparsons@gov.nl.ca, padavis@gov.nl.ca, gerrybyrne@gov.nl.ca, siobhancoady@gov.nl.ca Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> < newsroom@globeandmail.ca>, "steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 May 2016 16:04:22 -0400 Subject: After listening to your opinions CanadaLand I called and tried to speak to both of you about what I know about the Rock and had luck getting through to either of you To: jmcleod@thetelegram.com, acoffin@mun.ca Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> Episode #: 131 Newfoundland Is Screwed http://canadalandshow.com/ Episode #: 50 Debating Same-Sex Marriage and Other Ways to Stay Irrelevant http://canadalandshow.com/ | |
Police remove items from homeless camp outside Confederation Building
Officers seen Tuesday afternoon removing debris and personal items from the encampment
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has removed items from a homeless protest site across from Confederation Building Tuesday afternoon, as the demonstration continues into its third week.
RNC officers were seen around 1 p.m. NT moving tents and packing belongings into black tote bins.
Police on the scene told CBC News officers are only removing tents that blew down during Monday's wet and windy weather because they don't want the debris to blow into the road.
"You deserve to be treated with respect. And I think we've done a good job of maintaining that," RNC Insp. Steve Knight told the group that congregated at the encampment. "But we're at a situation now where public safety has been compromised, because of that weather last night."
The City of St. John's told CBC News it isn't responsible for collecting any garbage on the encampment's grounds, as that would fall on the owners of the property — which, in this case, is the Pippy Park Commission.
WATCH | See police taking down tent encampment, and hear protesters' reactions
RNC media relations Const. James Cadigan also said police are taking the items from the encampment to RNC headquarters, where the protestors can then pick up their belongings.
He said that police would not remove tents that are still standing.
The removal was met with some hostility, as people were quick to point out that some tents that had been taken down were only abandoned the night before — and that those people were set to return.
In one instance, a man had his tent taken down as it was unoccupied due to the fact that he left for a medical appointment.
"There was no one in your tent," Knight told the man.
"Yeah, cause I was in hospital for two days," the man replied.
Some people leaving the encampment were seen walking toward the nearby College of the North Atlantic. The college had locked some of its side doors when security noticed "an unusually high amount of traffic entering the building" last week, according to a statement sent to CBC News, but the main doors remained unlocked.
Davy Short has spent two weeks at the tent encampment, and said he's prepared to stay there. (Katie Breen/CBC)
Resident Davy Short, who has been living at the encampment for over two weeks, said he plans to continue staying opposite Confederation Building.
"They're saying they're going to put us in shelters and all that stuff. They put me in a shelter, and when I got there I had to be out again at 10 o'clock," Short told CBC News.
"I'm not going to stay in the shelter. I'd rather stay up here and fight it out."
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
With files from Heather Gillis and Anthony Germain
John Holmes
Where is Ashley Ben Said, owner of the St.Johns high priced shelter beds, she is not protesting here too ?
John Holmes
The RNC presence was meant to intimidate, their ultimate role would be to dismantle the encampment altogether, and scatter the protestors. If they can get away with that. Isn't homelessness a "public safety" issue
Ryan Walsh
Reply to John Holmes
They definitely reduced morale.
John Smith
Reply to John Holmes
They should have been in there and removed them on the first day...the first hour...
John Holmes
Reply to John Smith
Fortunately that scary society you might agree on, is not here, for now anyways
John Holmes
Reply to Ryan Walsh
Hardly
Randy Marsh
Furey was busy today at some type of Memorial University funding announcement, while his henchman (minister John Hogan and the RNC) took care of the dirty work.
Reply to Randy Marsh
Can’t pass up a good photo op!
Tent city protesters don't want to go into shelters. These complaints we obtained explain why
There is no minimum standard for shelters in N.L., but a consultant has been hired to change that
A litany of health and safety concerns have been flagged to the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation about for-profit shelters over the last year, but the provincial government is still funnelling millions to private operators to handle the homelessness crisis despite previous pledges to move away from them.
Conditions inside private shelters have been a linchpin issue for a group of homeless protesters sleeping in tents across from the provincial legislature. They've complained that the buildings are unclean, unsafe and unacceptable.
CBC News has obtained through access to information dozens of complaints documented at the housing corporation about for-profit private shelters. They range from a lack of food, to violence, uncleanliness and the unwanted solicitation of female clients.
There is no minimum standard for conditions in private accommodations. The provincial government, however, says change is on the horizon and has contracted a company to establish a set of shelter standards.
Though names and addresses are redacted, it's clear the complaints come from both community partners and clients themselves. Information identifying the shelter operator is also blacked out.
- As housing demand grows, N.L. Housing eyes emergency shelter in Corner Brook area
- Inside a new shelter that is trying to fill a desperate gap in emergency housing
- Housing minister says N.L. government doing its best to keep up with demand
Last September, a client said she was "continually solicited for sex by another shelter guest and felt incredibly unsafe."
More than one woman reported being solicited for sex, according to one complaint. Employees with the health authority's harm reduction staff noted men approached them to solicit sex when outside a particular shelter and that "it appears to be a pattern when females are close to the shelter site."
The housing corporation received a complaint that same month that "there are allegations that the shelter operator at [redacted] has been engaging in sex acts with clients."
It noted that "as of yet, these allegations have yet to be substantiated, at least not to [redacted] but by observation and community partners."
In an emailed statement to CBC regarding that note, the housing corporation said it forwarded the information to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for investigation.
The RNC, however, could not find a record of a complaint being made by publishing time with the information provided.
'I could write a book complete with illustrations'
Clients who rely on the for-profit shelter system often fear repercussions of speaking up, according to the complaint ledger.
"I wanted to file a complaint about the living situation [at the shelter] and wondering the last time someone has monitored this place? No working stove or microwave and [redacted] advised he was handed a wooden handle when he entered the home to protect himself," one complaint said.
"The house is absolutely disgusting. I wouldn't let my pets sleep there. It's not fit for any human to inhabit. The house smells of mold, mildew, and urine. Holes in the walls, broken old smelly urine-soaked furniture."
The unnamed complaint went on to say that if clients complain they become at risk for eviction.
"I cannot with a good conscience sleep at night knowing some other poor soul is her [landlord's] next target to take advantage of. I could write a book complete with illustrations."
In another instance, a woman said she was afraid of staying at a shelter and slept in her vehicle because "someone had tried to stab another person," and "a client is staying there with a gun."
Staff reported that they overheard the shelter operator tell the woman to give back her keys to the room, and say, "You slept in your car once, you can sleep in it again ... Try going to a hotel and getting $50 a week for food."
In most cases, shelters are paid to provide food, and individuals are only given $62 through income support every two weeks. But there were a myriad of complaints where clients reported being fed Pogo sticks and Hungry-Man dinners, food that goes against their religion, or nothing at all.
Shelters not 'known for their accommodations'
"A lot of the for-profit operators, they're not known for their accommodations," said Doug Pawson, executive director of End Homelessness St. John's.
"They can be very unsafe. We know some of our staff who've tried to access them are unable to go into those locations because of safety concerns."
During a protest on the steps of Confederation Building Monday, Robert Osmond said the current system aims only to line the pockets of private operators.
"The slums of the slums, you guys pay top dollar for it," said Osmond, who has been without a place to live for five months.
"It would be cheaper for you guys to put us in a hotel. Shelter residents here now are getting poorer and poorer. The ones who own the shelters are getting dirty, filthy rich."
Robert
Osmond was the first person to pitch a tent in the park across the
street from Confederation Building in St. John's earlier this month. He
is pictured holding a box of food that had been donated to protesters
there. (Ryan Cooke/CBC)
In November 2019, following a CBC News story on for-profit shelter operations, then-housing minister Lisa Dempster stressed that 38 per cent fewer people were in private shelter. That switch happened, she said, after the province moved the responsibility for shelters to the housing corporation.
"I believe that means we're making progress in that area, plus we're putting a tremendous effort into reducing the overall number of shelter stays for people in this province," Dempster said in the House of Assembly.
Yet, for-profit shelters — and more recently hotels — are funded almost equally to the levels of non-profit organizations, like the Gathering Place and Salvation Army.
Currently, there is no obligation for private operators to offer anything in terms of support or health care services.
Paul Pike, the minister currently responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, told CBC Radio's On The Go Tuesday that there are "lots of services available" at the shelters the protesters have been advocating against.
"These shelters have wraparound services," said Pike.
"People can go there ... there are people there to help them fill out applications to go in [the] Newfoundland and Labrador Housing list. There are people that are there ... social workers that are there if they have any special needs and so on."
That runs counter to the complaints lodged with the housing corporation, which describe a lack of services, support, and basic needs.
"If these people are serious about getting into our housing units, things like that, they can fill out an application, they go on the list," Pike said.
In a statement from the housing corporation, a spokesperson from the department said inspections are conducted quarterly and when an issue arises or a complaint is received.
"At minimum, a social worker and emergency housing officer would visit the property without notice to inspect/investigate and identify any issues requiring remediation," the emailed statement said.
During the fiscal year, 2022-23, the housing corporation said it conducted 39 inspections of for-profit shelters. There have been 10 inspections since April 1 of this year.
The NLHC stressed that a complaint does not always mean a violation, but each is reviewed to determine validity and appropriate action.
Private operators often accept clients who would normally be unable to stay at non-profit organizations because of violence, and drug and alcohol use. Various government ministers throughout the years have repeatedly said that there are no other options for some clients.
Establishing standards
The housing corporation says it recognizes the problems inside the shelter system, and has hired OrgCode Consulting to help develop a shelter standards framework.
The Ontario-based company, which works with governments, non-profits and other organizations to prevent and reduce homelessness, has conducted focus groups with community agencies, shelter operators, and clients.
Ashley Ben Said, a private and non-profit shelter operator who receives hundreds of thousands of government dollars, is on the steering committee developing the set of standards.
"Those standards [will be] maintained and met, whether you're a private, non-profit or hotel, so everyone gets the same service," she said.
"It's something all of us have been invested in so it gets dealt with and done, sooner rather than later."
Doug Pawson, of End Homelessness St. John's, says shelters are often unsafe and unfit for people to stay there. (Ashley Burke/CBC Ottawa)
Pawson, who is also on the committee, said work is preliminary but he is optimistic.
"They're going to create a philosophy for how this should work. So it's not just about the size of a room or what kind of meal should be provided."
Pawson said there are a series of standards in place in other provinces, but they're not applied consistently across Canada. He would like to see an ombudsman so that clients can advocate for themselves without risking eviction.
"The thing that we have to remember is these are folks who are very vulnerable. They're living in a very stressful situation," he said. "Imagine not knowing which shelter you may spend the night at and the trauma that may impose on folks."
A number of complaints focused on concerns surrounding open drug and alcohol use in shelters.
Pawson believes all shelters — both non-profit and for-profit — should be low-barrier to accept all individuals, regardless of their drug and alcohol use and criminal background.
A set of standards and guidelines would balance the needs of those who use and those who do not, Pawson said.
As for the future of for-profit operators, Pawson said: "They shouldn't be relying on residential homes to be emergency shelter when they could just simply be homes."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hmmm I wonder who O'Meara is
https://www.thrivecyn.ca/directory-of-services/housing/end-homelessness-st-johns-ehsj/
End Homelessness St. John’s (EHSJ)
| Tel: 709-702-3700 (St. John’s Area) Email: dpawson@wecanendit.com Tel: 877-837-3449 Fax: (709) 739-3520 | Website: https://www.wecanendit.com Twitter: ehsj709 Facebook: wecanendit709 Newsletter: EndHomelessnessStJohns |
https://wecanendit.com/about-us
DOUG PAWSON - He/Him
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
dpawson@wecanendit.com
Doug is the Executive Director of End Homelessness St. John's, a system change entity leading the development and implementation of the St. John's Community Plan to End Homelessness. A systems-based thinker with an entrepreneurial appetite for social change, Doug is committed to serving the most vulnerable neighbours in our community.
Before joining End Homelessness St. John's, Doug spent over 12 years in Ottawa working in community mental health. He led innovative and nationally recognized social enterprises and social finance programs through significant periods of growth.
Active in the community, Doug currently serves on the Board of Directors with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness and as the board of directors with the United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador. He holds an MBA in Community Economic Development from Cape Breton University, an MPhil in Policy Studies from the University of New Brunswick, and a BA in Political Studies and English from Bishop's University.
Media Release
Minister Pike Highlights New Safe Haven Emergency Shelter
The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and
Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and
Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), toured the new Safe Haven Emergency
Shelter in St. John’s yesterday.
In partnership with the Anglican Church of the Good Samaritan, the Safe
Haven Shelter will provide a 40-bed staffed emergency shelter and an
additional warming centre to accommodate up to 30 people in the winter
months. Both will specifically serve the male population.
The shelter will operate as an overnight shelter between 6:00 p.m. and
10:00 a.m., and will be managed across two large rooms with dedicated
staff and security on site. Provincial funding of approximately $2
million is being provided through NLHC to operate the shelter.
Safe Haven was the successful proponent of a provincial Request for
Proposals issued by NLHC on January 31, 2023, for low-barrier shelter
services. The facility will accommodate an estimated 40 clients and
operate from a harm reduction approach which serves individuals
experiencing homelessness without judgement or preconditions of wellness
or sobriety.
Individuals that are engaged in housing readiness and housing search
services will be provided access to case managers and housing support
staff during the day. The facility also has capacity and designated
space to offer up to an additional 30-person warming centre, as may be
needed, during the colder months.
This new shelter option will increase government’s ability to direct
placements to a staffed shelter with appropriate supports and referrals.
Quotes
“The new Safe Haven Emergency Shelter, a low-barrier shelter for the St.
John’s area, is a much welcomed addition to the community, and will
complement existing services. The new facility will help address growing
demands and further contribute to our collective efforts to support
individuals to transition from shelter to more stable housing options.
This response is a great example of strong partnerships between
community and government, coming together with a shared focus and an
overall goal of well-being and improving client outcomes.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister
Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Safe Haven Housing is excited to further our partnership with NLHC and
the Good Samaritan Anglican Church. The opening of our male 40-bed
emergency shelter and 30 bed warming center at 10 St Clare Ave will
create an overnight model that will focus on harm reduction and
supportive planning to move clients across the housing continuum. This
opportunity will allow us to work with the most complex and marginalized
clients in the community and provide a low-barrier space that can feel
welcoming and safe.”
Ashley Bensaid
Executive Director, Safe Haven Shelter Services
“As we recognize the tremendous need for emergency shelter, The Anglican
Church of the Good Samaritan is very pleased to partner with Safe Haven
Housing to provide the second level of the church, which can house up
to 40 homeless men and a 30-person warming centre. We believe that this
is a wonderful use of our church building, and forwards the very
purposes for which the Christian church exists.”
The Ven. Dr. Darrell Critch
Rector, Church of the Good Samaritan
Territorial Archdeacon, Eastern Canada
-30-
Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @NLHousing
Like us on Facebook
Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Ashley Bensaid
Safe Haven Emergency Shelter
709-727-0043
bensaidhousing@gmail.com
The Ven. Dr. Darrell Critch
Rector, Church of the Good Samaritan
709-730-4641
Inside a new shelter that is trying to fill a desperate gap in emergency housing
Ashley Ben Said is one of the people providing a service that government has effectively outsourced
Billy Butler opens the door of the fridge, takes out an apple and shines it on the arm of his hoodie.
"Oh yes, look, she got 'er full," Butler says, bending to look at the well-stocked fridge.
Butler smiles as he makes his way through the new Safe Haven 40-bed shelter and 30-space warming centre on St. Clare Avenue in St. John's.
In a few hours, he and more than a dozen other men who have been living at another nearby shelter, a rectory on LeMarchant Road, will soon move in.
"[I'd] probably be in a tent somewhere, or on the street looking for a place to sleep," says Butler.
'Prices were outrageous'
Butler says he had trouble finding a place to live in St. John's after he moved from Bell Island. The move was necessary for medical appointments, he says, because a serious motorcycle collision in 2019 left him unable to work.
"The prices were outrageous. Bachelor apartments well over $1,000 and then getting money for food, everything was outrageous here in St. Johns," he says.
"There are a lot of people with mental health and addictions here on the street. I find it really hard to figure out how they're doing it, because they can't read, they can't write, some of them, and trying to navigate and find a place."
- A town divided: Residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay can't reach consensus on homelessness solution
- Hotels instead of homes: N.L. spending millions on emergency shelter
- Housing minister says N.L. government doing its best to keep up with demand
Butler called the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. The NLHC connected him with Ashley Ben Said, who owns and operates a number of non-profit and for-profit shelters in St. John's.
"I'm lucky," he said.
Billy
Butler, 49, is living at the Safe Haven shelter on St. Clare Avenue. He
moved to St. John's from Bell Island following a motorcycle accident. (Mark Cumby/CBC)
Ben Said's non-profit, Safe Haven, recently won a government tender to operate a low-barrier shelter using a harm reduction approach that doesn't turn people away based on their wellness and sobriety. It's located in the top portion of the Church of the Good Samaritan, an offshoot of the Anglican Church.
"We're trying to cover the bases with everybody, get everybody in from the cold before the winter comes," Ben Said told CBC News in a recent interview.
'Our boys'
The newest shelter will operate between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. and will be managed across two large rooms with dedicated staff and security on site. The provincial government is providing $2 million toward its operation.
The space was donated by the church, which is also providing kitchen space and volunteers to cook the men supper.
It's a stark change in the normal course of life at the church, with parishioners — some of them well into their 80s — trading in their kitchen aprons for naloxone kits as they learn what they should do if "one of their boys," as Father Darrell Critch calls them — overdoses.
The
Anglican Church of the Good Samaritan, at the former St. Michael's
Church on St. Clare Avenue, opened in 2020 thanks to a $2.5-million
donation from an anonymous donor. The church broke away from the
Anglican Church of Canada over opposing views on issues like same-sex
marriage. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)
"It grieves us that we need to have that training, but we do," said Critch.
"I've been really blessed that folks here at the church have been really willing to step up and to do their part to feed the boys and come alongside the boys and to do that kind of intimidating training."
Each Tuesday, tables inside the newly renovated church take shape with unusual pairings, as men from the shelter eat and converse with parishioners.
"We rejoice with them as they get apartments and help find furniture for them and whatnot, and try to be encouraging when they're still waiting and in the midst of a housing crisis," said Critch.
"I think from the church's perspective, what more should we be doing if not this kind of work?"
The working poor
Ben Said began more than a decade ago as a housing co-ordinator with what was then called the St. John's Native Friendship Centre, now First Light. Today she operates both non-profit shelters and for-profit shelters and housing units, though she says she is in the process of moving two of her properties under the non-profit umbrella.
"I've been doing this for close on 15 years, so over the last decade and a half everything has changed," she said.
"We used to see a lot of just single individuals, a lot of single males. Now we have a lot more females in the province that are requiring services and a lot of families."
WATCH | Parishioners at a St. John's church have opened their doors and arms to a population of single men:
Ben Said, who operates the only family shelter in St. John's, has recently noticed more families left homeless because their landlord increased rent and they have nowhere else to go.
"Most of the families that we work with are the working poor," Ben Said noted.
"People are working minimum wage jobs, and it just can't keep up with the rent costs. And then they're just in this situation that they didn't anticipate being in with kids."
The cost of homelessness
Like other private operators, Ben Said charges the housing corporation a nightly rate. In her case, it's $110 per night for adults and $55 per night for children under the age of 12.
According to an access to information request, the province spent over $680,000 in 2022 for Ben Said's non-profit accommodations and over $1 million for two for-profit properties, on Golf Avenue and Hazelwood Crescent.
The rectory on LeMarchant Road, which once held only men, will now become 22 beds for female, transgender and non-binary people.
A for-profit property on Golf Avenue, where women are currently living, will move to supportive, permanent board and lodgings.
According to Ben Said, the services offered at her facilities — including two chefs, a clinical psychologist, social worker and 24-hour staff — help set her apart from other for-profit operators.
"Maybe other private shelters aren't the same, but we try to be able to help people in every way that we can help them," said Ben Said.
In the wake of a CBC News investigation in 2019, then housing minister Lisa Dempster said the province was moving away from for-profits and leaning into non-profits instead.
However, that hasn't happened. The province spent over $5.2 million between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, on for-profit housing and hotels — most of which don't have any wraparound services.
Mark Wilson of Livingstone Street in St. John's found a man sleeping in the back of his truck on Saturday. (Ariana Kelland/CBC)
Days after Safe Haven opened its doors, St. John's resident Mark Wilson made a startling discovery in the pan of his pickup truck: a man was sleeping there.
Wilson said he and others in the community have been trying for weeks to get the man housing but have been unsuccessful.
"It's not suitable to sleep in my truck. He should have a shelter bed. That's what the system is supposed to provide," said Wilson, who lives on Livingstone Street in downtown St. John's and advocates for housing, health and addictions services for the area.
Wilson says he called the NLHC emergency housing line but was told there was nowhere for the man to go.
He slept in the pan of his truck for four more nights.
"The system certainly has lots of holes, lots of issues where we we're still paying for this system to be in place," he said.
"If people don't have housing, there are implications to that, whether it's with the health-care system, whether it's with the RNC, with crime. People need certain things and they're not getting it, and it's costing us more money."
What's the solution?
Not everyone is satisfied with the shelter system, including some individuals who protested across from Confederation Building overnight Monday into Tuesday.
A group of protesters told reporters they've experienced violence in the shelter system and want to find a permanent housing solution.
Ben Said said she wants the same, but says it won't happen immediately.
"I would like to see people transition from shelter to supportive housing," Ben Said said.
Ben Said applied to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing to develop a 20-unit apartment building to move clients from shelter to housing that is affordable.
"I would like for all of us to come together and create more permanent housing solutions, because without doing that, we won't get ahead of it."
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Someone’s nose just grew a foot.
From: "May, Steve (St. John's)" <SMay@coxandpalmer.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:24:33 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Re Federal Court File No T-1557-15 Justin
Trudeau really screwed up when he sent the nasty little Newfy Altar
Boy Richard Southcott down from Ottawa to argue mean old me
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I am out of the office until Friday, 15 January, attending meetings in
Ottawa with limited ability to respond to e-mail. If the matter is
urgent, please call 709-738-7800 for further assistance.
>
> http://qslspolitics.blogspot.
>
> 2005 01 T 0010
>
> IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
> TRIAL DIVISION
> BETWEEN:
>
> WILLIAM MATTHEWS PLAINTIFF
> AND:
> BYRON PRIOR DEFENDANT
>
> AND BETWEEN:
> BYRON PRIOR DEFENDANT/PLAINTIFF
> BY COUNTERCLAIM
>
> AND: WILLIAM MATTHEWS PLAINTIFF/FIRST DEFENDANT
> BY COUNTERCLAIM
>
> AND: T. ALEX HICKMAN SECOND DEFENDANT
> BY COUNTERCLAIM
>
> AND: THOMAS MARSHALL THIRD DEFENDANT
> BY COUNTERCLAIM
>
> AND: DANNY WILLIAMS FOURTH DEFENDANT
> BY COUNTERCLAIM
>
> AND: EDWARD M. ROBERTS FIFTH DEFENDANT
> BY COUNTERCLAIM
>
> AND: JOHN CROSBIE SIXTH DEFENDANT
> BY COUNTERCLAIM
>
> AND: PATTERSON PALMER SEVENTH DEFENDANT
> BY COUNTERCLAIM
>
> SUMMARY OF CURRENT DOCUMENT
>
> Court File Number(s):2005 01 T 0010
>
> Date of Filing of Document: 25 January 2005
>
> Name of Filing Party or Person: Stephen J. May
>
> Application to which Document being filed relates: Amended Application
> of the Plaintiff/Defendant by Counterclaim to maintain an Order
> restricting publication, to strike portions of the Statement of
> Defence, strike the Counterclaim in it's entirety, and to refer this
> proceeding to case management.
>
> Statement of purpose in filing: To maintain an Order restricting
> publication, to strike portions of the Statement of Defence, strike
> the Counterclaim in its entirety and refer this proceeding to case
> management.
>
> A F F I D A V I T
>
> I, Stephen J. May, of the City of St. John's, in the Province of
> Newfoundland and Labrador, Barrister and Solicitor, make oath and say
> as follows:
>
> THAT I am a Partner in the St. John's office of PATTERSON PALMER
> solicitors for William Matthews, the Member of Parliament for
> Random-Burin-St. George's in the Parliament of Canada.
>
> THAT Mr. Matthews originally retained Mr. Edward Roberts, Q.C. on or
> about 30 April 2002 after Mr. Byron Prior, the Defendant/Plaintiff by
> Counterclaim, had made allegations against Mr. Matthews in a
> publication called "My Inheritance - The truth - Not Fiction: A Town
> with a Secret". In that publication, the allegation was made that Mr.
> Matthews had had sex with a girl who had been prostituted by her
> mother. That girl was alleged to have been Mr. Prior's sister.
>
> THAT upon being retained, Mr. Edward Roberts wrote a letter to Mr.
> Prior. That letter to Mr. Prior is attached as Exhibit "1" to my
> Affidavit.
>
> THAT subsequent to Mr. Roberts' letter to Mr. Prior, Mr. Roberts
> received a 1 May 2002 e-mail from Mr. Prior. That e-mail is attached
> as Exhibit "2".
>
> THAT subsequent to Mr. Roberts receipt of the e-mail, Mr. Prior swore
> an Affidavit acknowledging that what had been said in that publication
> was false. That Affidavit is attached as Exhibit "3" to my Affidavit.
> Following Mr. Roberts' receipt of that Affidavit, Mr. Matthews advised
> that he was satisfied not to pursue the matter any further and our
> firm closed our file.
>
> THAT on or about 25 October 2004, I was retained by Mr. Matthews
> following his gaining knowledge that a web site, made a series of
> allegations against him relating to my having sex with a girl of
> approximately 12 years old through to an approximate age of 15 years
> old. It also accused him of being a father of one of her children and
> accused him of having raped that girl. Upon checking the web site I
> saw that Byron Prior, the Defendant, had been identified as the author
> of the material on the site.
>
> THAT Mr. Matthews instructed me to write Mr. Prior, to remind him of
> the fact that the allegations had been admitted to being false through
> a 16 May 2002 Affidavit to advise him of Mr. Matthews' intentions to
> commence legal proceedings if the comments were not removed from the
> web site. A copy of my letter to Mr. Prior is attached as Exhibit "4"
> to this Affidavit.
>
> THAT I attach as Exhibit "5" a transcript from a 5 November 2004
> voicemail left by David Amos, identified in the voicemail as a friend
> of Mr. Prior.
>
> THAT I attach as Exhibit "6" a portion of a 6 November 2004 e-mail
> from Mr. Amos.
>
> THAT until I received his voicemail and e-mail, I had never heard of Mr.
> Amos.
>
> THAT Mr. Amos has continued to send me e-mail since his 5 November
> e-mail. Including his 6 November 2004 e-mail, I have received a total
> of 15 e-mails as of 23 January 2005. All do not address Mr. Matthews'
> claim or my involvement as Mr. Matthews' solicitor. I attach as
> Exhibit "7" a portion of a 12 January 2005 e-mail that Mr. Amos sent
> to me but originally came to my attention through Ms. Lois Skanes
> whose firm had received a copy. This e-mail followed the service of
> the Statement of Claim on 11 January 2005 on Mr. Prior. I also attach
> as Exhibit "8" a copy of a 19 January 2005 e-mail from Mr. Amos.
>
> THAT I attach as Exhibit "9" a copy of a 22 November 2004 letter
> addressed to me from Edward Roberts, the Lieutenant Governor of
> Newfoundland and Labrador covering a 2 September 2004 letter from Mr.
> Amos addressed to John Crosbie, Edward Roberts, in his capacity as
> Lieutenant Governor, Danny Williams, in his capacity as Premier of
> Newfoundland and Labrador, and Brian F. Furey, President of the Law
> Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. I requested a copy of this
> letter from Government House after asking Mr. Roberts if he had
> received any correspondence from Mr. Amos during his previous
> representation of Mr. Matthews. He advised me that he received a
> letter since becoming Lieutenant Governor, portions of which involved
> his representation of Mr. Matthews. Mr. Roberts' letter also covered
> his reply to Mr. Amos.
>
> THAT I attach as Exhibit "10" an e-mail from Mr. Amos received on
> Sunday, 23 January 2005.
>
> THAT I swear this Affidavit in support of the Application to strike
> Mr. Prior's counterclaim.
>
> SWORN to before me at
> St. John's, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador this 24th day of
> January, 2005.
>
> Signed by Della Hart
> STEPHEN J. MAY
> Signature STAMP
> DELLA HART
> A Commissioner for Oaths in and for
> the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. My commission expires on
> December 31, 2009
>
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Minister Responsible for the Community Sector
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Member for Burin – Grand Bank
Paul Pike graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts (Education) Degree and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. He has four decades of experience in teaching and administration at all education levels including post-secondary.
Minister Pike has been involved in promoting the development and economic sustainability of the Burin Peninsula for a number of years, having served on municipal council with the Town of St. Lawrence for twenty-eight years, including time as mayor. He also served as Vice-President of Municipalities NL and Public Relations Chairperson of the Municipal Assessment Agency.
Minister Pike has also been an active volunteer in his community as a Director with the Community Credit Union, Director with the Burin Peninsula Community Development Board and as a member of the Burin Peninsula Eastern Health Advisory Board, among involvement in other organizations.
He and his wife Laura have three children and seven grandchildren.
Minister Pike was elected as the MHA for Burin – Grand Bank in the 2021 Provincial General Election.
Mandate LetterOpens in new window
Minister’s Office Contacts
Minister’s Office
Minister: Honourable Paul Pike
Tel: (709) 729-0659
Email: CSSDMinister@gov.nl.ca
Executive Assistant to the Minister: Margot Pitcher
Tel: (709) 729-0660
Email: margotpitcher@gov.nl.ca
Administrative Assistant to the Minister: Madonna O’Rielly
Tel: (709) 729-0659
Email: MadonnaORielly@gov.nl.ca
Executive
Deputy Minister: Alan Doody
Tel: (709) 729-0958
Email: alandoody@gov.nl.ca
Admistrative Assistant to the Deputy Minister: Sheila Power
Tel: (709) 729-0958
Email: sheilapower@gov.nl.ca
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Performance Improvement: Brian Evans
Tel: (709) 729-5108
Email: brianevans@gov.nl.ca
| 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
|
|
Liberal | Paul Pike | 2,666 | 59.59 | +7.97 | |||
|
|
Progressive Conservative | Fred Dodge | 1,639 | 36.63 | -11.75 | |||
|
|
New Democratic | Alvin Banfield | 169 | 3.78 |
| |||
| Total valid votes | 4,474 | |||||||
| Total rejected ballots |
| |||||||
| Turnout |
| |||||||
| Eligible voters |
| |||||||
|
|
Liberal hold | Swing | +9.86 | |||||
Source(s) | ||||||||
| 2019 Newfoundland and Labrador general election | ||||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
|
|
Liberal | Carol Anne Haley | 2,822 | 51.62 | -27.73 | |||
|
|
Progressive Conservative | Bill Matthews | 2,645 | 48.39 | +39.55 | |||
| Total valid votes | 5,467 | 99.02 | ||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 54 | 0.98 | +0.64 | |||||
| Turnout | 5,521 | 65.70 | +11.99 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 8,403 | |||||||
|
|
Liberal hold | Swing | -33.64 | |||||
Bill Matthews | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament of Canada for Random—Burin—St. George's (Burin—St. George's, 1997–2004) | |
| In office September 22, 1997 – September 7, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Roger Simmons |
| Succeeded by | Judy Foote |
| Member of Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Grand Bank | |
| In office 1982–1996 | |
| Preceded by | Leslie Thoms |
| Succeeded by | Judy Foote |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Matthews July 22, 1947  Grand Bank, Newfoundland |
| Political party | Liberal (1999–2008) |
| Other political affiliations | Progressive Conservative (1982–1999) |
| Residence(s) | Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Profession | Teacher |
| Portfolio | Fisheries & Oceans (Critic) |
Matthews was a Progressive Conservative member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1982 to 1996. During this time, he was a cabinet minister, as Minister of Culture, Recreation and Youth from 1985 to 1988 and Minister of Career Development and Advanced Studies from 1988 to 1989.
Matthews was later elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1997 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, representing the riding of Burin—St. George's. He crossed the floor to the Liberals in 1999, and continued to represent the riding until 2004. In that year's federal election, he was elected to the newly redistributed district of Random—Burin—St. George's, which he represented until 2008.
Matthews is a former teacher. He is a former Parliamentary Secretary to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Deputy House Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, and Progressive Conservative critic of Fisheries and Oceans.
In March 2007, Matthews called Prime Minister Stephen Harper a "liar." While Speaker of the House Peter Milliken didn't give in to demands from outraged Tories to throw Matthews out of the chamber, Milliken did not allow Matthews to rise in the House for what would be the last 14 months of Matthews' career.[1] Matthews did not run for reelection in the 2008 election.[2]
In October 2018, Matthews was appointed as Chief of Staff to provincial PC leader Ches Crosbie in the Opposition Office.[3]
Matthews contested the 2019 provincial election as the PC candidate in Burin-Grand Bank,[4] but was defeated by Liberal incumbent Carol Anne Haley.[5]
Ches Crosbie | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office October 12, 2018 – March 31, 2021[1] | |
| Preceded by | David Brazil |
| Succeeded by | David Brazil |
| Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador | |
| In office April 28, 2018 – March 31, 2021[2] | |
| Preceded by | Paul Davis |
| Succeeded by | David Brazil (interim) |
| Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Windsor Lake | |
| In office October 12, 2018 – March 27, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Cathy Bennett |
| Succeeded by | John Hogan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Chesley Furneaux Crosbie June 12, 1953 St. John's, Newfoundland |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Relations | Chesley Crosbie (grandfather), Sir John Chalker Crosbie (great-grandfather) |
| Parent(s) | John Crosbie and Jane Crosbie |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Chesley Furneaux "Ches" Crosbie, K.C. (born 12 June 1953) is a Canadian lawyer and former politician. Crosbie was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador on April 28, 2018 serving until March 31, 2021.[3][4] He served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 2018 until 2021.
Early life
Crosbie is the eldest of three children of Jane (Furneaux) and John C. Crosbie and was born and raised in St. John's.[5] His father was a prominent figure in Newfoundland and Labrador and Canadian politics, a provincial and federal cabinet minister who also served as Lieutenant-Governor of the province (2008–13). Crosbie is also a grandson and namesake of Chesley A. Crosbie and the great-grandson of Sir John Crosbie, prominent businessmen and public figures in Newfoundland.
Crosbie's early education was at Bishop Feild College in St. John's, and at St. Andrews College in Aurora, Ontario. He was selected as Newfoundland and Labrador's Rhodes Scholar in 1976,[6] studying jurisprudence at Oxford, and continued his legal studies at Dalhousie University. There he met his future wife, Lois Hoegg, a native of Stellarton, Nova Scotia. She has been a Justice of the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court since 2007. They have three daughters.[7]
Lawyer
On completing law school, Crosbie returned to St. John's and was admitted to the bar in 1983. He founded Ches Crosbie Barristers in 1991. The firm developed expertise in class actions, and Crosbie first came into the public eye as an advocate for breast cancer patients affected by delayed and erroneous test results[8] (settled in 2009, see Cameron Inquiry), for the victims of moose-vehicle accidents, for users of video lottery terminals, and for the former residents of residential schools in Labrador (settled in 2016).[9] Crosbie was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2004.[10]
From an interest in helping injured children, Crosbie and his firm have given away thousands of bicycle helmets to young people across the province. He has worked on a pro bono basis with former shipyard employees attempting to get compensation for long-term health problems. He has also volunteered with heritage organizations such as the Sealer's Memorial and Interpretation Centre in Elliston, Trinity Bay,[11] and worked with the Placentia Historical Society and the Town of Placentia to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the 1941 meeting of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill which established the Atlantic Charter.[12]
Politics
Crosbie's earliest involvement in politics came as a supporter of his father, who was a candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 1983. He is a long-time provincial Progressive Conservative and federal Conservative supporter.
In 2014, Crosbie announced his candidacy for the federal constituency of Avalon. However, in 2015, his candidacy was rejected by the Conservative Party of Canada, reputedly as the result of his "playful barbs" concerning Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a Shakespearean-parody fundraising skit.[13] His father, John Crosbie, then accused the federal Conservatives of squashing his son's candidacy because he was too independent and because Newfoundland senator David Wells wanted to keep his control over Newfoundland patronage appointments, an accusation that Wells denied.[14]
Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
In February 2017, Crosbie announced an exploratory candidacy for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, following the resignation of leader and former Premier Paul Davis. On April 28, 2018, Crosbie defeated Health Authority CEO Tony Wakeham to succeed Davis.[15] The leadership convention operated under a mixed vote-points system in which a hundred points were awarded in each of 40 districts across the provinces, based on the percentage of vote each candidate won. The final tally was Crosbie with 2,298.92 and Wakeham with 1,701.08 points respectively.[3][16]
In August 2018, Crosbie announced his candidacy for the district of Windsor Lake following the resignation of MHA Cathy Bennett.[17][18] On September 20, 2018, Crosbie won the race and therefore became Leader of the Opposition.[19]
Crosbie led the party into the 2019 provincial election with the party increasing its seat count from 7 to 15. The PCs finished 1% behind the Liberals in the popular vote and the Ball government was reduced to a minority.[20][21][22][23] Crosbie was personally re-elected in Windsor Lake.
Crosbie endorsed Peter Mackay in the 2020 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election.[24]
Crosbie led the party into the 2021 provincial election.[25] He was personally defeated in his district of Windsor Lake;[26] while the party lost one other seat, electing 13 MHAs. The Liberals under Furey won a majority government.[27] On March 31, 2021, Crosbie resigned as PC leader.[28][29]
Retirement
On February 14, 2022, it emerged that Crosbie donated $800 to the protesters in the Freedom Convoy.[30] He endorsed Pierre Poilievre in the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election.[31]
Contact Us: How to reach CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
Numbers, contact information, frequently asked questions about @CBCNL
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's Newsroom. Phone: 709-576-5225. Fax: 709-576-5011. Email: radionews@cbc.ca
Mailing Address. P.O. Box 12010, Station "A" St. John's, NL A1B 3T8
For news tips, press releases, statements. etc.: Newsroom email: radionews@cbc.ca. Assignment producer Mike Rossiter: mike.rossiter@cbc.ca
Have a story that requires some digging? Email our CBC Investigative team: cbcnlinvestigates@cbc.ca
For anniversary and birthday greetings: Send an email with a high-quality photo (a jpeg is preferred) and caption information to Here & Now: hereandnow.nl@cbc.ca
Shows and Regional Newsrooms
St. John's
Main number: 709-576-5000.
Here & Now 709-576-5225. Email: hereandnow.nl@cbc.ca
Land & Sea 709-576-5029 Email: landandsea@cbc.ca
The St. John's Morning Show 709-576-5259. Email: morningshow@cbc.ca
The Signal 709 576-5263. 709-722-7111 and toll-free 1-800-563-8255. Email thesignal@cbc.ca
On The Go 709-576-5207. Toll-free: 1-800-465-6846. Email: onthego@cbc.ca
The Broadcast 709-576-5287. Feedback: 1-800-561-3474. Email: thebroadcast@cbc.ca
Weekend AM 709-576-5239. Email: wam@cbc.ca
Gander
CBC Newfoundland Morning 709-256-4311. Email: newfoundlandmorning@cbc.ca
Gander Newsroom 709-256-4311. Fax: 709-651-2021
Corner Brook
CBC Newfoundland Morning 709-637-1188. After 9 a.m. NT: 709-637-1168. Email: newfoundlandmorning@cbc.ca
Corner Brook Newsroom 709-634-3141.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Labrador Morning 709-896-2911. Toll-free talkback line: 888-699-8255. Fax: 709-896-8900. Email: labradormorning@cbc.ca. Learn more about Labrador Morning here.
Staffing
Senior Managing Director — Atlantic Canada: Meredith Dellandrea: meredith.dellandrea@cbc.ca
Managing Editor: Scott Lunn: scott.lunn@cbc.ca
Senior Manager, Creative Content Growth: Victoria King: victoria.king@cbc.ca
Executive Producer: Peter Gullage: peter.gullage@cbc.ca
Senior producer, programming: Bailey White: bailey.white@cbc.ca
Senior producer, digital: John Gushue: john.gushue@cbc.ca
Communications
Regional Manager, Communications, Marketing & Brand: Jill Thomas Myrick: jill.thomas.myrick@cbc.ca. Phone: 902-420-4332
CBC Media Solutions (Television and Digital Sales)
Broadcast and Digital Sales rep: John Swain: john.swain@cbc.ca. Phone: 709-576-5018. Website: solutionsmedia.cbcrc.ca
Audience Services
Visit the CBC Help Centre: www.cbc.ca/help
Leave a message:1-866-306-4636
FAQ: Have a question about CBC Newfoundland and Labrador?
If you still can't find the answer you're looking for, please use the contact form. Due to the large volume of messages received, we will not be able to respond to all messages.
1. How do I contact the local news departments with a news tip?
If you've got a news tip, you can call the assignment desk of CBC Newfoundland & Labrador in St. John's at 709-576-5225, or toll free 1-866-576-5225
2. How do I get my school announcement on the air?
If you have an announcement about a school closure, late bus or any other late-breaking development, please call 709-576-5225, or toll-free 1-866-576-5225. Routine announcements can be emailed to radionews@cbc.ca
3. How do I get a PSA aired on radio or a community event mentioned?
CBC Radio will accept public service announcements from non-profit organizations.
Please email PSA information to: On The Go: onthego@cbc.ca The St. John's Morning Show: morningshow@cbc.ca, Weekend AM: wam@cbc.ca, Newfoundland Morning: newfoundlandmorning@cbc.ca, or Labrador Morning: labradormorning@cbc.ca.
4. How do I get a CBC personality to attend my event?
To request a CBC personality to attend your event please fill out our host request form.
5. Can I get transcripts and/or tapes of programs?
To obtain CBC material for use in an educational setting, please email CBC Learning: cbclearning@cbc.ca.
For Land and Sea DVD copies or information, please email landandsea@cbc.ca.
Mailing Address:
Land and Sea
P.O. Box 12010
Postal Station 'A'
St. John's, NL
A1B 3T8
For all other CBC Newfoundland and Labrador television or radio program inquiries, please use this online form.
You can also write to:
Mailing Address:
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CBC Broadcast Centre
Room 6B210J
205 Wellington St. W.
Toronto, Ont.
M5V 3G7
6. How do I alert the CBC to reception difficulties? If you are experiencing problems hearing CBC Radio One or Radio Two from your local CBC Radio transmitter, please help us fix the problem by contacting Audience Relations by phone 1-866-303-4636 and press '1' for assistance.
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