Critics decry 'obscene' patronage in Simms reappointment

Opposition critics are slamming Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams for reinstalling a former Tory leader at the helm of a Crown corporation.

Len Simms, who led the Progressive Conservative party between 1991 and 1995, stepped down in September as chair and chief executive officer of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corp.

He immediately took on a senior role in the PC campaign leading up to this month's provincial election.

On Thursday, the government reappointed Simms to the same position.

"It's unethical, it's obscene from a political point and I certainly hope the people out there recognize this is the style we have and unbecoming of a premier," said Liberal party president Danny Dumaresque, who said he had nothing against Simms personally.

Instead, he criticized what he called blatant patronage.

"This speaks volumes about the style of this premier…. When you hand somebody that kind of power, then you can only expect an exercise of that kind of power," Dumaresque said, referring to the Oct. 9 landslide victory in which Williams picked up 43 of the legislature's 48 seats.

Dumaresque predicts there will be other examples of party insiders who will receive appointments without competition.

The Liberals had promised to bring in a qualified appointment process.

Lorraine Michael, leader of the New Democratic Party, agrees with that approach, but said she was disappointed to see Simms leave NLHC in the first place.

"But neither do I like the way in which the premier moves people around like pieces on a [chess] board, to meet his own needs.

"It's a bittersweet thing with that one. I actually do think Len Simms was doing a good job."

Simms's appointment will last four years. He will earn more than $130,000 annually in the post.