The Mayor of one Newfoundland and Labrador community is making a plea to government to create an expanded “economic recovery task force.”

Holyrood Mayor Gary Goobie says with the understandably unavoidable added cost of COVID-19 and the crash in oil prices, the province is in a total free-fall economically, and government has a “monumental” task ahead of them to get through the financial crisis that’s coming.

Goobie says getting through the economic crisis will require much input, advice, and professional recommendations that span beyond government.

He emphasizes that this is by no means intended to undermine the capabilities of government – but rather enhance it.

Goobie wants to see an “Economic Recovery Task Force” – comprised of university economists, financial analysts, health care experts, NOIA, business leaders, boards of trade, tourism representatives, trades councils, Municipalities NL, former Premiers, opposition party representatives and others.

He believes the more perspectives that can be shared on this financial challenge, the better the likelihood of a favourable outcome, and that it will take the “politics out of politics.”