The MHA for Terra Nova says a grieving family is being left to “pick up the pieces” after an incident in February damaged a gravesite.
Lloyd Parrott says it happened in Gooseberry Cove, between Goobies and Clarenville.
A provincial government snowplow was operating in a storm when it slid off the road and into a cemetery, damaging a guard rail, retaining wall and a grave belonging to the family.
Fuel was also spilled from the snowplow, creating environmental concerns.
Lloyd Parrott.
As a result, Parrott says the remains in the affected grave may have to be exhumed.
In response, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister John Abbott says government will foot the bill for any costs incurred.
“Obviously the family must agree with what we’re doing. That’s not automatic,” he said. “But we’re working as diligently as possible to make sure we put everything back in order. It’s taking some time, but we’re literally on it on a daily basis.”
Abbott says government’s insurance company is involved in the situation, and they’re dealing directly with the family.
John Abbott
Parrott says that’s not good enough.
“I would assume that, regardless of insurance or whatever, if there’s a body that has to be exhumed, that the coroner’s office has to be involved, there’s multiple government departments that have to be involved,” says Parrott.
“And if government is now letting insurance companies do their jobs, on behalf of them, dealing with the grieving family, they’re failing … the same as they are with everything else.”
