Andrea Barbour faces reporters for first time after accusing media of untruths

Well, I'm here now, and I would like to say that what was put in the media was based on information that was tipped back in July, and it was a draft model. So we know, like, you know, when you're in school and you write an assignment, you would have one draft, two drafts, ten drafts before you get your final, final product. So how can you put something out to the public, numbers, based on a draft model? Yeah, the independent had said it was a draft model. They said that in the report. So what wasn't true? The greenhouse gas emissions, it was said that we weren't going to reach our greenhouse gas emissions. So a draft model was just the beginning of our climate change action plan that we're working on. And to bring up the climate change action plan right now, we have to understand that we're working on a foundation, and we're looking for information from the public. We want to hear from the public. We want to hear from indigenous groups. We want to hear from indigenous government. We want to hear from... stakeholders. We want to hear from everyone of this province. We want to hear what they think about climate change and what should be in the action plan. So we are open. The comments are in the public until November 26th, 2026, and it's available on EngageNL. Your statement to us said that the draft model was preliminary insofar as the measures you're going to announce weren't included in that. And I take that point, but those measures don't exist. You haven't decided what you're going to do. So to what extent is this model inaccurate if it doesn't include, if it can't include things that you haven't decided upon? Well, that's not my, I don't want to get this twisted and make this incorrect. As technology advances, as different stakeholders and different mindsets come, As you know, with this deal with Churchill Falls and Bay d'Nord, I have full faith in our government and I have full faith in our future of a province, and there's going to be major projects, major projects, major projects, and I'm so excited for the future. And the Climate Change Action Plan has to reflect what is coming in the future. And this is why this foundation is so important right now, so anyone out there who wants to speak up and provide their comments, please go to EngageNL and put your comments in. Mr. Chair, have you been ducking reporters this week where you've asked to speak here? No, I have not been ducking reporters. I have been available for media. I'm available for media. I have turned down a scrum, yes, and that is because while I'm a new minister, a new MHA, I'm very, very, very interested in the House of Assembly, and I'm in there. We're putting out so many bills. I'm trying to learn. This is my second time in the House of Assembly, and understanding how bills are presented, the interaction between opposition and government. And just listening very, very closely. I'm really good at observing and understanding. And I have to be present as much as possible. Will you commit to being more available to me? I am available to speak any time. Part of being your minister is coming out and speaking to reporters on the files for which you are responsible. And twice this week, you were asked to come out and you didn't, and your staff was unable to tell us why you didn't come out. I understand that you have a learning curve, but is there not a responsibility to come and speak to journalists on files that you're responsible for? Is that not incumbent on you as a minister? As a minister of the Crown. I am very respected by many people in this province, and I have a large, very large district. I'm the MHA for St. Barbara-Lancel Meadows, and I spend a lot of time not only being a minister, but also an MHA for my district, and I'm very, very interested in environment, conservation, and climate change. As you may not be aware, I have no idea, but... I have a background in environment. This February marks 20 years as a public servant. I started out 20 years as a pollution policy specialist in water resources, and now I am the Minister of Water Resources. Minister, do you feel supported by your party to be able to come here and speak? Because also in the House sometimes I've noticed some other members of the caucus might answer questions that are directed towards you. I guess, do you feel that your party and the Premier has your support in getting you out in front of the cameras more often? I believe that my caucus fully supports me and so does the Premier and that we work together as a team and I answer questions. And sometimes if... Just because, I don't know, the way the House of Assembly works, just because I was asked a specific question doesn't mean that I have to answer it. Anyone can answer the question. You mentioned the learning curve that comes with this position. Do you feel like maybe you were put in cabinet too quickly? Not at all. I have the background, I have the knowledge, and I have the wisdom that comes with this job, and it's a perfect fit, and I've enjoyed every moment. I guess to follow on that, You have the knowledge for the position, but you chose not to speak to the media about that position because you wanted to get more knowledge about how the House of Assembly works. Can you both, can you be a minister of the Crown and answer questions about your department and learn about the House of Assembly at the same time, or no? I can. Then how did you feel when you said, I'm not going to speak to the media today because I want to learn about what's going on in the House of Assembly? I'm here today, and I am speaking to media, and I'm also in the House. So the comments that you made yesterday about the media, were you advised to say those? What enticed you to actually make those comments? I just made the decision myself. I thought what I said in the House of Assembly was very clear and really didn't need any explanation at all. Do you stand by that comment that the media was twisting the narrative? The media do twist narratives. It's known. Everyone knows that. And there's nothing new. Minister, you've been a politician for about a year, and I know there's a lot to learn, and it's a tough position, you're under a microscope, but it's also important that you be there. You said you'll answer questions anytime, anywhere. I'm just wondering if you have any regrets about opportunities that you did have to set the record straight that you might not have, about perhaps going to France and handing out rubber boot keychains that clearly promotes your brand, because we all know that you like to wear the yellow rubber boot. You would not answer my questions and others. I want some clarification on why you would spend taxpayers' dollars to buy those keychains, hand them out on sacred ground in France, without being accountable for making that decision. So do you have any regrets along those lines? I don't live with any regrets. And also in Beaumont-Hamill, and yes, I can say Beaumont-Hamill. It's not 40 degrees here. Thank you. I have no regrets about any decision. And I followed protocol, and I followed the book, and I've done nothing wrong. That's everything, thank you guys. Sorry, can I just ask you one quick question? I want to ask you, I'm going to ask actually, excuse me.