Debate resumes at the Legislature this afternoon on whether an apology from the minister who directed the hiring of former Liberal staffer Carla Foote to be hired to a $130,000 a year position at The Rooms will suffice.

So far, the PCs, NDP and Independent MHA Paul Lane have said an apology just won’t cut it, meaning that Independent MHA Eddie Joyce’s vote could be crucial.

He is not saying which way he will vote but he noted that he was out of cabinet and caucus before a complaint even emerged. In Mitchelmore’s case, the complaint was lodged almost a year ago, yet Mitchelmore is still in cabinet.

Joyce says the premier is guilty of hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, Premier Dwight Ball reiterated in the House yesterday that he had nothing to do with the hiring. Further, he does not even consider it to be a patronage appointment. He says the position was open at the time, and they also put another executive director in place. The premier also says they’re now seeing the fruits of that endeavour.

The Citizens Representative Report disagrees, saying that there had already been someone hired for the Director of Marketing position on a nine-month contract. That contract was cancelled, and the position elevated to the executive level with a higher salary, both under the direction of Mitchelmore.

Torngat Mountains PC MHA Lela Evans came out swinging, saying she is angered, frustrated and ashamed.

She says the report by the Citizen’s Representative says it all in black and white and that an independent review won’t solve the problem. However, she says cleaning up their government will.