Both opposition party leaders are coming down hard on the Liberal government following Federation of Labour President Mary Shortall’s resignation from the Premier’s Economic Recovery Task Force.

PC leader Ches Crosbie didn’t mince any words when describing Shortall’s departure.

He says it’s an important event and an early warning signal that what is coming down the pipe—as he says “in secret for now”—is going to include a lot of cuts to the standard of living for people who work in the public service and in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

NDP leader Alison Coffin agrees. She says she has grave concerns for the working people of the province. Another cause of concern, for Coffin, is the lack of outcomes in the terms of reference for the report.

She claims that from what they’re seeing and hearing, the public service and the delivery of public services will be devastated.

Both leaders want to see Moya Green’s report released before any writ is dropped amid wide-spread speculation that an election is coming.