The Opposition is seeking answers from government about the recent resignation of Bern Coffey, and his role surrounding the Churchill Falls agreement.
The Liberals say Coffey was part of the negotiating team, however the provincial government says he only provided legal advice to the negotiating team.
According to the province, Coffey – a lawyer and former Liberal leadership candidate – notified the Clerk of the Executive Council on September 13th that he was ending his contract with the provincial government.
The province previously indicated that Coffey was providing legal advice to the negotiating team, along with Jerome Kennedy, a former member of the Danny Williams government.
The Opposition is accusing government of a lack of transparency on what it calls a “changing story.”
The Liberal Party says Coffey was a “key advisor” on Churchill Falls, who “participated with the negotiating team in technical briefings following the August 17 announcement.”
The Opposition contends that Coffey then resigned the day before debate on the new deal in the House of Assembly due to what they’ve since learned was discontent.
Leader John Hogan says government has to explain.
Hogan says the premier is saying Bern Coffey’s term was done but “if his term was done, why is Mr. Kennedy still there? They were hired at the same time for the same role.”
“A lot of questions, one person can certainly clear this up. If the premier doesn’t have these answers…Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should be worried, and he should get the answers and….tell Newfoundlanders and Labradorians exactly what’s happening.”
