Furey won't remove Perry Trimper from caucus but says his 'political career is done'
Premier says he had collaborative exchange with Innu Nation
Premier Andrew Furey says he's 'satisfied' with Perry Trimper's decision to remain as an MHA within the Liberal caucus until the next general election.
When asked by multiple reporters on Wednesday if Trimper would be removed from caucus Furey wouldn't say. The premier did say, however, that Trimper's political career is over and those were Trimper's own words.
"I talked to Mr. Trimper. He offered a very heartfelt apology. He was very emotional. He's removed himself from his executive positions. He's declared that he's not a Liberal candidate in the next election," said Furey.
"His political career is done, and I'm satisfied with that for now."
Trimper is at the forefront of controversy again, after a comment about the homeless population of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. A year ago he stepped down as minister of municipal affairs and environment after inadvertently leaving a voicemail for an Innu Nation staffer that was criticized as racist.
On Monday leaders of the Innu Nation, Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and Mushuau Innu First Nation called for Trimper's full resignation, saying simply stepping away from legislative duties was not enough.
The group said it notified Furey on Friday that anything less than a resignation would be unacceptable, and took issue with Trimper still representing people of the Lake Mellville district until the next general election is called.
Furey said he spoke with Grand Chief Etienne Rich of the Innu Nation on Tuesday.
"We discussed Mr. Trimper and I said that he had offered an apology. But we moved very quickly to recognize that this is more than an individual issue. This is a systems issue," Furey said.
"The path to reconciliation is long and bumpy, but we need to walk it together. It was a very collaborative exchange that we had."
Furey was also asked how he could justify keeping Trimper on board after two incidents in one year that left Trimper apologizing to Indigenous communities.
The premier said again that he's satisfied that Trimper's apology and that he has ended his political career.
Furey explains absence
On Tueday, Opposition leader Ches Crosbie said it was "a disgrace" that Furey wasn't available to speak after question period that day, saying both Indigenous reconciliation and the province's offshore oil industry was crumbling.
Furey said he another commitment.
"Frankly, as you can all appreciate, it's an incredibly busy time for the province and I had a meeting that was already in the schedule around the economic task force," Furey said.
"I have complete faith in my ministers and the team we have assembled to be able to speak on behalf of government. That's part of having a cabinet."
With files from Mark Quinn