NDP leader sanctioned for asking whether housing comments were 'lies'
CBC
The leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador NDP was sanctioned Monday for saying "lie" when talking about the Liberal government's past words and actions on housing-related issues, while the deputy premier faced Tory questions about whether she misspoke about the number of affordable housing units built by the government.
Housing issues were once again at the forefront during question period at the legislature on Monday.
Before proceedings even began, Speaker Derek Bennett rose to deliver his ruling on comments made by NDP Leader Jim Dinn in the House on Thursday.
Dinn was under the microscope for saying: "Will the premier admit that what his minister said is a lie, and he has misled the House and the people of this province about the actual numbers of houses built?" and "I ask the premier: were these statements lies as well?"
Bennett found that the language was unparliamentary and asked for Dinn to "unequivocally withdraw both comments."
Dinn declined, twice.
Bennett then ruled that the NDP leader will not be recognized to speak in the House until he withdraws the statements.
After question period, Dinn explained his decision by saying the Liberal government's actions do not reflect their words.
"There are people whose lives are dependent on having a safe place to live — their well-being, their ability to start in a new direction," Dinn said.
"If this is what it takes to make them realize the seriousness of this, then so be it."
Dinn said he may have to reconsider his decision at some point, depending on how the session of the legislature plays out.
Last week, CBC News reported on recent comments made by Social Development Minister Paul Pike.
When Pike unveiled seven newly completed public housing units at a news conference in Gander earlier this month, he said, "In the last two years we've built 750 new homes in this province."
Pike added, "They're right across the province, in every community we've been building these homes, and the 750 mark is something that we were striving to get to."