Former chair of Labrador-Grenfell Health blames 'cheap politics' for his resignation

The longtime chair of the Labrador-Grenfell Health board of directors has resigned in frustration following what he says was a series of snubs by his local MHA in recent weeks.

Ray Norman of Roddickton has served on the regional health authority's board for about a decade, but tendered his resignation earlier this week.

Norman said there were four government announcements on the Northern Peninsula and in southern Labrador in January related to funding for capital equipment in health care.

He said he was not invited to a single one.

Punished for being a Tory

Norman blames the snubs on his affiliation with the provincial Progressive Conservative Party, and what he said is a testy relationship with St. Barbe-L'Anse aux Meadows MHA Christopher Mitchelmore, who also serves as minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development in the Liberal government of Premier Dwight Ball.

It was certainly not my intention to upset Mr. Norman.- MHA Christopher Mitchelmore

"I view this as cheap politics by Minister Mitchelmore and certainly makes your department's and your government's motives appear to be questionable," Norman wrote in his letter to Health Minister John Haggie.

Mitchelmore denies this.

"It was certainly not my intention to upset Mr. Norman," Mitchelmore said in a written statement Thursday.  

"Upon learning he had not received an invitation and planned to resign … my office immediately reached out to him to assure him it was an oversight and ask him to reconsider tendering his resignation. I thank Mr. Norman for his many years of service."

Norman refused to rescind his resignation, however, and said he could no longer continue as chair "with this kind of treatment and disregard from an elected representative of the people."

'No more than I expect'

Another member of the health board with strong ties to the PC Party said he was also snubbed in recent weeks.

Hedley Ryland said Cartwright-LAnse au Clair MHA Lisa Dempster announced health funding in Forteau.

"It was no more than I expect," said Ryland.

"And I tell you right now, shame on those people, shame on government, if they're going to use the health care in Newfoundland and Labrador to play politics with, shame on them."

Unlike Norman, Ryland has no plans to resign, saying he's concerned about what the Liberal government might do with health care in southern Labrador, and he wants his voice to be heard.

"This government right now, and what they're getting on with, I'm scared," he said.

Norman, meanwhile, admits he is a longtime supporter of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.

And during his time as mayor of Roddickton, Norman said he didn't always see eye-to-eye with Mitchelmore, whose district includes the Town of Roddickton.

One of the health funding announcements took place in Roddickton, just minutes from Norman's home, while the others were in St. Anthony, Flower's Cove and Forteau.

No invitation to attend 

Norman said Mitchelmore made the announcements on behalf of Health Minister John Haggie.

"I received no notification or invitation from Minister Mitchelmore or his office to attend either of these announcements," Norman wrote.

"This was despite the fact that mayors, town councillors, etc. were informed and attended, and one announcement was even in my hometown."

Norman said he received a call from Mitchelmore's office after his resignation letter was received, and was told his lack of an invite was an oversight.

He added he was also asked to reconsider his resignation, but refused.

I view this as cheap politics by Minister Mitchelmore- Ray Norman

The Department of Health issued a statement Thursday, saying announcements related to capital equipment were left to the discretion of MHAs.

"Regional health authority CEOs and boards were included in the process," the statement read. 

Meanwhile, Opposition Health critic Steve Kent accused Mitchelmore of playing small-minded, petty politics and says Premier Dwight Ball and the health minister should do something about it.

"[Ray Norman] has been incredibly disrespected by Mr. Mitchelmore and the Liberal government," said Kent.

"It's wrong for the chair of a regional health authority who's provided good service to the people of the region for many years to find out on Facebook that announcements are happening related to the regional health authority, related to government investment, in health care in the region."

Labrador-Grenfell Health said in a statement it was advised of Norman's notice of resignation, and thanked him for his "leadership and contributions as a member of the board of directors," as well as "his dedicated volunteer service."