Newfoundland gets new Transport Minister; new Premier promises regulated diesel

Newfoundland’s new Premier, who promises to carry-through on a promise to regulate the Island’s retail fuel prices, has named Percy Barrett as minister in charge of transportation.

Roger Grimes, a Liberal, recently won the Premiership by becoming the leader of the party, a position vacated by Brian Tobin when he was named last fall to be federal Minister of Industry.

Grimes has shuffled nearly the entire provincial Cabinet.

Barrett represents the provincial riding of Bellevue. He was first elected in 1989.

Grimes, who has promised to regulate the province’s retail prices for all fuels, has directed Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews to develop the framework for the change.

Prince Edward Island is the only other Canadian province where the government sets the price of diesel, gas, and heater oil.