Gambo latest town to hold budget protest

The province's largest union took part inanother demonstration against the latest Newfoundland and Labrador budget on Saturday.

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More than 150 NAPE membersand community supporters gathered outside Central Health'sCommunity Health Service Community buildingin GamboSaturday morning, to protest the closure of the local CYFSoffice,the closure of a health clinic in Hare Bayand other aspects of the latest budget they feel is unfair.

The protest was organized by Gambo resident Michael Paul, a welder who is currently looking for work. Paul used social media to rally people in the week leading up to the demonstration.

Representatives from NAPE, the provincial NDP, the Town of Gambo,the Foster Parents Association of Gambo andvarious public service employees spoke at therally, demanding the Liberal government keep the CYFSoffice open.

Following the rally,NAPE President Jerry Earle told CBC News the union is baffled as to why the CYFS office is being moved.

"It just doesn't make any financial sense to be moving this service from Gambo in to the Gander area," said Earle.

"It's going to put an additionalburden on the frontline people that providethe services, which are NAPE members, and it's going to put a bigger burden on those who receive those services."

Earle said the union will continue to voice its concern until government agrees to properly look at the need for the move.

"I would challenge this government to do a review," he said.

"It'sgoing to cost more and it's going to cost the people requiring the services more."

No Liberal representation

Earle said he was pleased to see NDP LeaderEarle McCurdy and Sandy Collins of the PCs at the rally, but questions why the Liberal MHA for the districtdidn't show up on Saturday.

"These arehis constituents and I certainly question why he wasn't there," he said.

"Doesn't he support a rural community like Gambo?"