Preceded by Dave Denine Role Politician Name Paul Lane | Preceded by first member Succeeded by riding dissolved Residence Mount Pearl, Canada | |
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Political party Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador | ||
Paul lane african cultural heritage and economic development
Paul Lane is a Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, who represents the electoral district of Mount Pearl South in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. Born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Lane resides in the suburban community of Mount Pearl, where he was a city councillor and deputy mayor prior to his election to the provincial legislature. First elected in the 2011 provincial election as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador,
Contents
- Paul lane african cultural heritage and economic development
- Paul lane speaks about his political future on the carter file ntv news june 20 2017
- Backbench behaviour
- Poll fixing
- Floor crossing 1st time
- Floor crossing 2nd time
- Financial problems
- Travel claims
- Mac the knife paul lane
- References
Paul lane speaks about his political future on the carter file ntv news june 20 2017
Backbench behaviour
As a backbench PC Party MHA, Lane was leader of what was known by insiders as the "heckling gallery", along with PC MHAs David Brazil, Sandy Collins and Steve Kent. This group of PC Party backbenchers were well known for heckling opposition MHAs, especially NDP MHAs, and attempting to disrupt the proceedings in the House of Assembly. Lane and Kent were admonished by the Speaker for their behaviour during the filibusters on Bill 29 and Muskrat Falls.
Poll fixing
Lane gained additional notoriety when media reports revealed that he was responsible for stacking on-line polls in favour of the Dunderdale administration. In one notable case, it was revealed that Lane was responsible for poll stacking against a provincial advocacy group for persons with disabilities.
Floor crossing 1st time
Following the election of a PC Party majority government in 2011, Lane was not appointed to Cabinet. On January 20, 2014 Lane crossed the floor to the Liberal Party to protest the leadership of Premier Kathy Dunderdale. After leaving the PC Party Lane apologized for his bullying behaviour in the House of Assembly and on social media. He also distanced himself from the policies of the PC Party, especially his out-spoken support for curtailing access to information (e.g., Bill 29) and Muskrat Falls.
Floor crossing 2nd time
Following the election of a Liberal majority government in 2015, Lane was not appointed to Cabinet. In 2016, he was suspended from the Liberal caucus for voting with the opposition on a non-binding motion against the 2016 Budget. Following this incident, Lane contacted the Speaker's Office to inquire if he could continue to collect his additional salary as Chair of Committees. After leaving the Liberal Party Lane distanced himself from the policies of the Liberal Party. His voting record as an Independent indicates that he frequently votes in support of the positions put forward by NDP MHAs.
Financial problems
After leaving the Liberal Party Caucus, Lane's personal financial woes were revealed with media reports that he was being sued for $28,000 for credit card arrears.
Travel claims
Lane's use of House of Assembly travel funding has come under scrutiny from time to time. On numerous occasions Lane has claimed travel expenses for as little as $1 for use of a "private vehicle". These expense claims, numbering in the hundreds, have amounted to tens of thousands of dollars of charges to taxpayers dating back to when Lane was first elected in 2011.