Wells to quit as St. John's mayor: premier

Fiery St. John's Mayor Andy Wells has been told to quit his job before taking on the reins of Newfoundland and Labrador's utilities regulator.

Wells has drawn fire for weeks because he has insisted he will stay on in the mayor's chair even after he becomes chair of the Public Utilities Commission.

Premier Danny Williams said Wednesday that a public uproar over Wells's decision has gone on long enough.

"This issue is taking away from the fact that Mayor Wells is an outstanding appointment as head of the PUB," Williams said in a statement.

Williams, who announced Wells's PUB appointment a month ago, said he still believes that Wells would not be in conflict of interest while serving in both positions.

"Because this has become such a distraction for all involved, I have informed Mayor Wells that we will hold off on his official start date at the PUB until such time as he steps down as mayor," Williams said.

"I expect this will happen sooner rather than later, but ultimately the mayor will decide the exact date to end his current tenure with the city."

Wells's appointment at the PUB was to have taken effect on March 1.

Wells said he was "not really" surprised by Williams's announcement, and acknowledged there has been controversy over his decision to collect two full-time salaries for at least seven more months.

"It's fine with me," said Wells, adding it was the premier's decision to set the ground rules for his new post.

"I will make a decision sooner rather than later.… Let me alone," he said. "You're going to have to let me contemplate the meaning of the universe."

Wells said he understood that public opinion had been influential in Williams's decision-making.

"It's the premier's call," Wells said. "This is his file, not my file."

Wells had decided to stay on as mayor until next September, on grounds that an earlier departure would trigger a byelection that he said would cost more than $400,000. The City of St. John's Act dictates a byelection be held if the mayor leaves office more than 12 months before the next scheduled civic election.

Made jabs at critics

Wells has not only insisted he can do both jobs, but has also made pointed jabs at his critics, calling most of them politically motivated.

The PUB regulates electrical and other rates and also handles land expropriations — an area that the provincial Justice Department flagged as problematic for Wells. Opposition critics have said Wells could not do both jobs justice, as the City of St. John's is directly affected by PUB decisions.

A group of scientists also wrote a letter this weekend to the St. John's Telegram newspaper, complaining that Wells is wrong to insist that human activity does not affect climate change.

Wells has on several occasions blasted what he calls "junk science" about the environment. The PUB, among other things, regulates gasoline prices through its Petroleum Pricing Office.

Williams defended Wells's right to express his views, but at the same time said the Newfoundland and Labrador government is continuing with its own programs on dealing with climate change. Among other things, the government is touting the proposed Lower Churchill hydroelectric megaproject as a clean source of energy that could help Canada lower its dependence on coal-generated power.

Long career in municipal politics

Wells has been a fixture at St. John's city hall for more than three decades.

First elected in 1977 as a ward councillor representing the downtown area, he has served as mayor since 1997.

Wells and Williams have had a curious history over the years. Once political enemies — Williams supported a rival candidate's bid to defeat Wells — they have become close allies, particularly on issues such as fighting for greater benefits in offshore oil development.

Williams fought a losing battle in 2006 to have Wells installed as chief executive officer of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, which regulates oil exploration and development.