News Ethics
Staffer at centre of N.L. patronage controversy moves to new government job

A former Liberal staffer in Newfoundland and Labrador who was controversially hired to a high-paying public service job with no competition has left her position for a new government job.

A statement from the premier’s office says Carla Foote has resigned from her marketing position at The Rooms art gallery and archive.

She will begin as assistant deputy minister of the public engagement and planning division later this month.

Political opponents are criticizing the move as a blatant display of political cronyism that comes months after Foote’s hiring dominated debate in the House of Assembly.

Foote, the daughter of provincial lieutenant-governor Judy Foote, was hired in October 2018 to her former job at The Rooms, a provincial Crown corporation.

Premier Dwight Ball ordered a review of executive-level job transfers in the midst of the controversy last fall.