Premier defends reassignment of civil servant criticized for Muskrat Falls lapses

The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is standing by his choice forthe new CEO of the province's Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, despite criticism of the longtime civil servant's work during a critical phase of the Muskrat Falls project.

Andrew Furey said Friday that Charles Bown's reassignment was made with the advice of the clerk of the executive council.

"I trust himin his current role and position," he said."The clerk has the best line of sight into performance evaluations and alignment, direction, future direction of different departments. So I sought that advice and I took it."

Bownhad been thedeputy minister of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation sinceFebruary 2019.

After serving as an assistant deputy minister and associate deputy minister in the Department of Natural Resources beginning in June 2006, Bown was deputy minister of the department from September 2012 untilDecember 2016, a stint that included thecritical planning and sanctioning phase ofMuskrat Falls.

The hydroelectric project was sanctioned in December 2012, and its cost has doubled from the more than $6 billion price tag that was announced at the time.

There have to be consequences for misbehaviour of this magnitude.- Ches Crosbie

Justice Richard Leblanc's final report for the Muskrat Falls inquiry, released in mid-March,was deeply critical of Bown's involvement in the project.

"Mr. Bown was [the government of Newfoundland and Labrador's]point person and conduit for information from Nalcor on the project. It is likely that he, too, was aware of an increase in the cost estimate of the project before financial close but he failed to take any steps to advise the minister of natural resources and the premier. His failure to report this information to his minister is inexcusable."

Conservative leader blasts decision

Progressive ConservativeLeader Ches Crosbie said Friday thatBown's appointment to a new government job is unacceptable.

"It's an example of the Liberal government not acting on moral imperatives and continuing to practiseinappropriate patronage," said Crosbie.

Crosbie said Bown shouldn't be working for the provincial government.

"There have to be consequences for misbehaviour of this magnitude."

Bown's pay

The Telegram was first to report details of Bown's compensation in his new position.

The premier's office told CBC news Friday thatBown's salary in his new role is$177,287. The premier's office said Bown is being paid the same amount he was paid as a deputy minister and because of contractual obligationshe can't be paidless.

The salary of thelast CEO of the MMSB, Dara Spurrell,was $148,000 almost $30,000 less than Bown. In 2013, Mike Sampson, was paid $168,000 in the role, andin 2009, then CEO LeighPuddisterwas paid $173,000 annually.

Fureydeclined to comment on Bown'scompensation Friday.

"I can't discuss details of contracts. I am the employer but this is not a contract that I created. But it's one that I am bound by," he said.

Demotion?

NDPLeader Alison Coffin suggested Bown's new job is a demotion.

"He's certainly been moved from a position where he would have that [higher] level of responsibility to a less responsible position, which certainly gives you a very good senseof how the Liberal government sees this and what they value in terms of the people they want working with them," she said.

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