For some of the most powerful figures in the National Democratic Party administration, expanding the runway at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport has long been one of the party’s highest priorities.
That could be changing, however.
Dr. Smith — one of the project’s loudest evangelists over the last few years — promised that an official announcement would be forthcoming soon.
His words come about five months after several NDP backbenchers broke party lines during the 2017 budget debate and voiced uncharacteristically public disagreement with the project’s continuation.
Though the dissenting lawmakers expressed support for the expansion overall, they argued that it should be delayed for now in favour of funding local infrastructure and education improvements.
Since then, NDP leaders’ public support for the project — a commonplace in previous years — has been more tepid.
Even Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering (R-D7), another long-time backer of the expansion, declined to comment when asked about his support in an interview with the Beacon last month, except to also promise that Dr. Smith would make a new announcement soon.
The premier’s statement on Tuesday came in response to a question from opposition member Julian Fraser (R-D3).
SEE THE AUG. 3, 2017 EDITION FOR FULL COVERAGE.
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