New healthcare facilities in Corner Brook will be built and maintained by for-profit companies, a major shift in government procurement policy. NDP House Leader Lorraine Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) says the Liberal reversal from its stance of two years ago simply passes increased costs on to future year.

The NDP Critic for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation says government made the right move by quickly reversing the decision to take the word “culture” out of the department name. Now, says Gerry Rogers (MHA, St. John’s Centre), it’s time for the minister to take meaningful steps to ensure the support for culture that he professes in words is reflected in actions.

NDP Education Critic Lorraine Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) says that while it’s heartbreaking to hear about repeated problems with the current classroom inclusion program, she hopes recent media stories will combine with presentations to the Premier’s Task Force on Education Outcomes to force government to pay attention and deal with the problem.

NDP Health and Community Services Critic Lorraine Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) wants to know why there has been nothing but silence from government regarding an important report submitted to it last week by the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association.