Another Liberal cabinet minister is attracting negative attention for a recent political gathering.
Health Minister John Haggie came under fire this week for a Gander and District Liberal Association fundraising event at Bally Haley.
Minister Haggie says the event met all social distancing protocols for a public venue, something he indicated was very different from house parties in “kitchens and basements.”
Here we go again…Shameful All Newfoundlanders and Labradorians must sacrifice….-Social gatherings and Christmas…
Posted by Chris Tibbs on Thursday, December 3, 2020
On Monday, an “evening reception” under the Liberal banner was held at a private residence in St. John’s featuring Minister Lisa Dempster with Premier Andrew Furey billed as a “special guest.”
Minister Dempster was not immediately available for comment but her office provided a statement to VOCM News. She admits she attended the event with 25 people in attendance and says all COVID protocols and measures were followed, in accordance with Special Measures Orders which limit gathering to no more than 50 people.
“On Monday, November 30, I attended a fundraiser with 25 people in attendance. This was a distanced gathering and all COVID protocols and measures were followed in accordance with the Special Measures Orders, which limits gatherings to no more than 50 people. It is worth noting Public Health provided guidance on holiday activities effective Wednesday, December 2, two days after the event, recommending gatherings in homes be limited to 20 people.”
She claims Public Health guidelines on holiday activities limiting gatherings to 20 people came in on Wednesday, two days after the event. The Chief Medical Officer of Health urged Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to skip Christmas parties a full week earlier.
Dempster says the gathering was two days before @CMOH_NL recommended gatherings be capped at 20.
However, on November 22nd we published this story with Dr. Fitzgerald advising only 20 contacts over the holiday season. @GerriLynnMackey https://t.co/DxC4oVpyGm https://t.co/JR3S7kAUqk
— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) December 4, 2020