The Innu Nation is calling for the removal of Perry Trimper from the Liberal caucus, and for his full resignation as MHA for Lake Melville.
Perry Trimper recently came under fire for comments he made suggesting that marginalized people in Labrador “choose” a risky lifestyle. That, after a video, surfaced showing a homeless Inuk man being thrown to the ground by a municipal officer in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
While Trimper announced that he would not seek re-election, and would step back from some of his roles in government, Innu leadership state that is not enough. With no date set for the next general election, the First Nations clearly state that they cannot support Trimper continuing as their representative in the House of Assembly.
(Former premier Dwight Ball and former Innu grand chief Gregory Rich sign an agreement to address institutional racism in provincial government in September, 2019. This meeting followed an apology for comments made by Perry Trimper that were left on the Innu Nation’s voicemail.)
The Innu Nation accuses Trimper of failing to understand systemic racism as he had to apologize for a similar incident last year, in which he was recorded commenting that Innu were “playing the race card.”
Any decision for Trimper to remain in caucus, the Innu Nation says, is an acceptance of racism by both the provincial government and Liberal Party.
On top of his removal, they suggest that Trimper “do the honourable thing and resign fully as MHA for the Lake Melville District.”
Meanwhile, Premier Andrew Furey says he’s satisfied with Lake Melville MHA Perry Trimper’s decision not to run in the next election.
Trimper announced Monday that he was withdrawing his nomination for re-election and resigning from his roles as parliamentary secretary in education and finance and as special advisor to the premier on climate change.
Furey said Trimper made the decision to step aside on his own. He said he encouraged Trimper to reflect on everything surrounding the incident in question and that he came to the conclusion himself.
