Premier Tony Wakeham is addressing questions about whether his party will have a whipped vote on the Churchill Falls deal – meaning members must vote yes.

Yesterday, Lake Melville MHA Keith Russell sent shockwaves through the province’s political landscape when he left the PC caucus to sit as an independent – just as the special sitting was about to get underway.

That move has raised questions about whether the PC caucus has been told to vote in favour of the deal, or if they are free to vote as they please.

When asked about the situation, Wakeham’s response was simple.

“I haven’t made any decisions about whipping anybody.”