FREDERICTON- An MLA representing the Saint John area was recently dismissed from his own party by the province's premier.
Dr. Jim Parrott, an outspoken MLA for the riding of Fundy-River Valley, was kicked out of the provincial Progressive Conservative caucus by New Brunswick Premier David Alward this week.
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Dr. Jim Parrott
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Alward made the announcement on the front steps of the New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton on Thursday, Sept. 20th.
Parrott's recent criticism of the government's lack of consultation with physicians in the form of a newspaper commentary influenced Alward's decision to release him as a member of the provincial Tory caucus, but Alward said there were other issues.
"This has been an ongoing issue for some time," Alward announced in front of the Legislative Assembly, surrounded by fellow caucus members. "And I can tell you that I have met with [this] member in the past over a number of issues."
Alward added that each MLA must be able to trust the government for the political system to function properly.
"For the importance of our parliamentary system to work, there needs to be a level of trust and confidence in each member to allow for dialogue and debate," Alward told CBC News. "And I'm very disappointed to say that the member has broken that trust."
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| NB Premier David Alward |
According to Alward, Parrott's removal from the PC party is effective immediately.
Dr. Parrott is a retired heart surgeon who calls Evandale home. The ousted MLA will continue to sit as an independent.
He expressed disappointment in the outcome of the situation.
"I'm disappointed [that] its gone this way," Parrott told CBC News.
Parrott told the CBC that he was unaware of the PC caucus meeting until receiving a call from Alward informing him of his removal. He wanted to address his constituents prior to making many further comments, but Parrott did say that there were problems that he felt needed to be addressed, and he felt that no other forum had been provided.
Parrott told the Saint John-based
Telegraph-Journal that he has no plans to leave politics, in spite of his ousting from the Tories.
"I'm not going away," he told the
Telegraph-Journal today.
He has the option to join another political party, but isn't considering it at present time.
"Right now, I would have to say no," Parrott told the
Telegraph-Journal. "But I am passionate about getting change [made]."
The provincial Liberals are not keen on the possibility of Parrott crossing the floor to their party.
"[Jim] Parrott is a member of the Progressive Conservative Party, which disqualifies him from even being eligible to become a member of the Liberal Party, let alone caucus," Interim Opposition Leader Victor Boudreau told CBC News. "His recent comments on health care alone indicate he does not share the same values of the Liberal Party and our caucus."
Provincial Grit MLA Bill Fraser said the dismissal of Dr. Jim Parrott contradicts the platform Alward ran on during the 2010 provincial election, in which he was elected Premier of New Brunswick.
"Here we have a member of his caucus speaking up for better health care and speaking up for his constituents, which is what he was elected to do," Fraser stated. "[For] the premier to throw him out-that's pretty despicable."
Premier Alward had spent the past two weeks in China discussing trade, and it was during that time that Parrott criticized his own party's views on health care. Parrott expressed opposition to duplication of health services for New Brunswick's English and French communities, and said that the province cannot afford duality.
Alward was informed of Parrott's comments upon his return early Thursday morning. He said that his caucus had held a meeting over three days.
"It was probably the best meeting we've had as a caucus since we've come together as a government," Alward stated.
The premier added that Parrott did not show any signs of concern at the caucus meeting.
"Not once did the [MLA] for (Fundy) River Valley raise any of the issues that just a few short days later he would go and attack the government on," Alward explained. "I find that very disapponting; regrettable."
"And we had outstanding discussions during those three days."
Parrott said he was excluded from these recent caucus meetings.
"I'm disappointed I wasn't part of the caucus meeting," Parrott told the
Telegraph-Journal. "Therefore, I don't consider the vote unanimous."
Alward said his party will undergo their own process to allow for the removal of Parrott from the caucus.
"The party can take a different decision," the premier told the
Telegraph-Journal.
As for Parrott, the backbencher MLA expects to spend Friday cleaning out his office. He is not afraid of any political backlash associated with his comments.
"That's what an MLA is supposed to do."
With files from www.cbc.ca and www.telegraphjournal.com
